Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale genes and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The subject invention relates to nucleic acid sequences and amino acid sequences encoded thereby, derived from the Merozoite Surface Protein (MSP1) gene of the  Plasmodium  species  P. malariae  and  P. ovale.  Such genes and proteins have many beneficial diagnostic as well as therapeutic uses.

The subject application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/068,375 filed on Mar. 6, 2008, herein incorporated in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The subject invention relates to nucleic acid sequences and amino acid sequences encoded thereby, derived from the Merozoite Surface Protein (MSP1) gene of the Plasmodium species P. malariae and P. ovale. Such genes and proteins have many beneficial diagnostic as well as therapeutic uses.

2. Background Information

Malaria Transmittance

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. At least four species of malaria parasites can infect humans under natural conditions: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae. The first two species cause the most infections worldwide. In particular, Plasmodium falciparum is the agent of severe, potentially fatal malaria, causing an estimated 700,000-2.7 million deaths annually, most of them in young children in Africa. Plasmodium vivax and P. ovale have dormant liver stage parasites (hypnozoites) which can reactivate (or “relapse”) and cause malaria several months or years after the infecting mosquito bite. Plasmodium malariae produces long-lasting infections and, if left untreated, can persist asymptomatically in the human host for years, even a lifetime (Gorbach, Bartlett & Blacklow “Infectious Diseases, 2^(nd) Edition, Sunders Press, 1992).

More recently, Plasmodium knowlesi, whose natural hosts include crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and pig-tailed macaques, has been shown to infect humans and may be responsible for a significant number of human infections in Malaysia (Cox-Singh et al., Clinical Infectious Diseases 2008; 46:165-71) and has been found in humans in Thailand (Jongwutiwes et al. Emerg. Inf. Dis 2004: 10:2211-2213) and Myanmar (Zhu et al. [article in Chinese], Zhongguo Ji Sheng Chong Xue Yu Ji Sheng Chong Bing Za Zhi 2006; 24:70-1).

In nature, malaria parasites spread by infecting successively two types of hosts: humans and female Anopheles mosquitoes. In humans, the parasites grow and multiply first in the liver cells and then in the red cells of the blood. In the blood, successive broods of parasites grow inside the red cells and destroy them, releasing daughter parasites (merozoites) that continue the cycle by invading other red cells.

The blood stage parasites cause the symptoms of malaria. When certain forms of blood stage parasites (“gametocytes”) are picked up by a female Anopheles mosquito during a blood meal, they start another, different cycle of growth and multiplication in the mosquito. After 10-18 days, the parasites are found (as “sporozoitesv”) in the mosquito's salivary glands. When the Anopheles mosquito takes a blood meal on another human, the sporozoites are injected with the mosquito's saliva and start another human infection when they parasitize the liver cells. (D. Wyler, “Plasmodium and Babesia”, Chapter 287, p 2407, in Gorbach, Bartlett & Blacklow “Infectious Diseases, 2^(nd) Edition, Sunders Press, 1992; http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/biology/life_cycle.htm)

Malaria Symptoms and Disease

Infection with malaria parasites may result in a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from absent or very mild symptoms to severe disease and even death. Malaria disease can be categorized as uncomplicated or severe (complicated). In general, malaria is a curable disease if diagnosed and treated promptly and correctly. Following the infective bite by the Anopheles mosquito, a period of time (the “incubation period”) elapses before the first symptoms appear. The incubation period varies from 7 to 30 days. The shorter periods are observed most frequently with P. falciparum and the longer with P. malariae.

Although uncomplicated malaria is quite treatable and the symptoms are non-disabling, severe malaria occurs when P. falciparum infections are complicated by serious organ failures or abnormalities in the patient's blood or metabolism. The manifestations of severe malaria include, for example cerebral malaria, with abnormal behavior, impairment of consciousness, seizures, coma, or other neurologic abnormalities; severe anemia, hemoglobinuria, pulmonary edema or acute respiratory distress syndrome, abnormalities in blood coagulation and thrombocytopenia, cardiovascular collapse and shock.

Diagnosis

Malaria must be recognized promptly in order to treat the patient in time and to prevent further spread of infection in the community. Malaria should be considered a potential medical emergency and should be treated accordingly. Delay in diagnosis and treatment is a leading cause of death in malaria patients in the United States. Malaria can be suspected based on the patient's symptoms and the physical findings at examination. However, for a definitive diagnosis to be made, laboratory tests must demonstrate presence of the malaria parasites or their components. The diagnostic “gold standard” for malaria depends on the demonstration of parasites on a blood smear examined under a microscope. In P. falciparum malaria, additional laboratory findings may include mild anemia, mild decrease in blood platelets (thrombocytopenia), elevation of bilirubin, elevation of aminotransferases, albuminuria, and the presence of abnormal bodies in the urine (urinary “casts”).

Detection of Plasmodium Antibodies

Antibodies to asexual malaria parasites (i.e. merozoites) appears within days to weeks after invasion of erythrocytes and can persist for months or even years (Vinetz et al., NEJM 2007, 338(6):367-371). Antibody detection for diagnosis of acute malaria is not recommended since presence of antibodies can indicate past or current (recent) infection. Historically, antibody detection used the immunofluorescence assay (IFA) but this assay is not particularly sensitive nor very specific and is labor intensive and requires carefully prepared reagents. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) have been developed that use plasmodium-derived antigens (Newmarket Laboratories, UK; Cellabs, Australia) or P. falciparum whole organism lysates (DiaMed) to detect immunoglobulins (IgG and/or IgM) in human serum or plasma. These assays are easier to perform, exhibit higher throughput and better sensitivity and specificity than IFA (Srivastava et al. J Trop. Med. Hyg. 1991, 94:189-194; Kitchen et al. Vox Sang. 2004, 87:150-155; Seed et al. Vox Sang. 2005, 88:98-106). Some ELISA assays may be better than others for detection of antibodies directed against each of the four plasmodium species that cause malaria in humans (She et al. J. Trav. Med. 2007, 14:105-111).

Antigens used for capture of antibodies have included vaccine candidates since their ability to elicit antibody response is often determined in animals and human vaccinees and naturally occurring antibodies are measured prior to vaccination. Examples of such antigens include circumsporozoite protein (CSP), apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1), merozoite surface protein (MSP) one and two, and, in particular, the 42 KDa and 19 KDa C-terminal fragment of MSP1 (a.k.a. MSP1-42 and MSP1-19) of both P. vivax and P. falciparum (Kitchen et al. Vox Sang., 2004, 87:150-155; Rodrigues et al. Malaria J. 2003, 2:39-46). Other antigens of interest are MSP-2, -3, -4, -5, -8 -9, glutamate-rich protein, serine repeat antigen (Girard et al. Vaccine, 2007, 25(9):1567-1580).

Plasmodium falciparum MSP1 has been extensively studied and was one of the very earliest vaccine candidates. It elicits a protective antibody response against severe malaria and the presence of MSP1 antibodies correlate with protective immunity (Siddiqui et al. PNAS 1987, 84:3014-3018). MSP1 is expressed as a ˜200 kDa precursor molecule linked by a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol anchor to the merozoite surface membrane. MSP1 is processed into a complex of polypeptides on the merozoite surface, including N-terminal and central regions of 82, 30, and 38 kDa, as well as the C-terminal region of 42 kDa. At the time of invasion of red blood cells, MSP1-42 is further processed by proteolytic cleavage into a 33-kDa fragment (MSP1-33), which is shed with the rest of the complex, and a C-terminal 19-kDa fragment (MSP1-19). Only the C-terminal MSP1-19 remains anchored on the merozoite surface and is carried into parasitized RBC. In monkeys, immunization with recombinant MSP1-42 and MSP1-19 has been shown to elicit various degrees of protection against P. falciparum challenge (Egan et al. Infect. Immun., 2000, 68:1418-1427; Kumar, et al. Mol. Med., 1995, 1:325-332). MSP1-19 proteins from both P. falciparum and P. vivax have been proposed as vaccine candidates (Roas et al., Immunol Lett. 2004, 92(3):259-68; Stowers et al. Infect. Immun., 2001, 69:1536-1546; Faber et al. Infect. Immun., 2007, 75:5947-5955). The MSP1 genes of P. ovale and P. malariae, however, the other two major plasmodium parasites causing malaria in humans, have not been available for examination as reagents for vaccination or antibody detection.

Detection of antibodies in donated serum or plasma can be used to identify individual donors who have been exposed to malarial organisms and who may be recently infected and, therefore, potentially parasitemic. All four species of plasmodium that infect humans have been transmitted via blood transfusion, and though the incidence of post-transfusion malaria is low in the United States (Mungai, et. al., N. Engl. J. Med. 344, p. 1973-1978, 2001), the availability of blood donors could be increased by implementation of plasmodium antibody screening assays such that only malaria-organism exposed individuals are deferred from blood donation rather than all donors who have traveled or lived in malaria endemic regions, as is the current practice. Such assays would theoretically detect antibodies against plasmodium species that infect humans and cause malaria (P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae). Commercial antibody ELISAs are currently in use (United Kingdom, Australia, France) or are being considered in other countries for the reinstatement of deferred donors (Seed et al. Vox Sang 2005, 88:98-106; Kitchen & Chiodini, Vox Sang(2006) 90:77-84; Elghouzzi et al., Vox Sang., 2008, 94:33-40). In these cases, donors are tested for antibodies to plasmodium derived antigens within several months of deferral.

A commercial assay (Pan Malaria Antibody CELISA) from Cellabs Pty. Ltd. (Brookvale, NSW, Australia) claims detection of antibodies to all four plasmodium species that cause malaria in humans and sensitivity of 94% versus immunofluoresence test (IFAT) (per package insert). Independent evaluation suggests the assay has poor sensitivity for falciparum and non-falciparum malaria antibody detection when compared to IFAT (Mertens et al. Vox Sang. 1999, 77:237-238). Independent evaluation of another assay from DiaMed AG (Switzerland) which utilizes a mixture of extracts of cultured P. falciparum and P. vivax recombinant protein (circumsporozoite protein), demonstrated poor sensitivity for detection of symptomatic individuals with microscopically confirmed P. vivax (18/24) but did detect antibodies in patients infected with P. ovale (2/2), or P. malariae (2/2) infection (Doderer et al. Malaria J. 2007, 6:19). The malaria antibody assay manufactured by Newmarket Laboratories Ltd (Kentford, UK) claims detection of all four species of plasmodium responsible for human malaria though it contains only P. falciparum and P. vivax derived recombinant antigens. The package insert indicates sensitivity for P. ovale and P. malariae antibody detection of only 80% and 67%, respectively. Detection of antibodies among individuals infected with P. ovale or P. malariae may be due to past infection with either P. falciparum or P. vivax and hence reactivity is due to detection of persistent antibodies to these agents. Independent evaluation of the assay demonstrated detection of only 9/14 (64%) of patients with acute malaria due to P. ovale infection and 85% (15/18) of patients with P. vivax malaria (Kitchen et al. Vox Sang. 2004, 87, 150-155). Hence, the claimed ability of these assays to detect human antibodies elicited by infection to P. falciparum as well as P. ovale, P. vivax and P. malariae is certainly questionable. For those assays whose composition of solid phase antigen is known (e.g. Newmarket, DiaMed), the absence of P. ovale or P. malariae specific antigens suggests that detection of antibodies to these species may be due to antibody cross-reactivity which raises important questions about assay specificity as well as sensitivity—unless reactivity is due to presence of P. vivax or P. falciparum antibodies from previous infections. Hence, there is presently a significant need for reliable detection of plasmodium antibodies in a low risk population (for example, normal blood donors) which requires an assay with antigen(s) derived from each of the four main plasmodium species

All patents and publications referred to herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention encompasses an isolated nucleic acid sequence or fragment thereof comprising or complementary to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide, wherein the amino acid sequence of said polypeptide has at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, and more preferably at least 90% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2. The present invention also encompasses an isolated protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, and more preferably at least 90% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:47 or SEQ ID NO:48. The invention also includes an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence having at least 70%, preferably at least 80% identity, and more preferably at least 90% identity to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:43 or SEQ ID NO:44. (It should be noted that the present invention encompasses endpoints of the amino acid regions recited herein which may differ by approximately 1-15 amino acids from those recited. Further, the present invention also encompasses those amino acid sequences having differences of 1 to 10 amino acids, either contiguous or non-contiguous from those described herein, which have the same functional properties as the sequences described herein.)

Additionally, the present invention includes an isolated nucleic acid sequence or fragment thereof comprising or complementary to a nucleic acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, and more preferably at least 90% identity to a nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from approximately nucleotides 1-5406 (SEQ ID NO:2) of FIG. 1, approximately nucleotides 62-5317 (i.e., PmMSP1) of SEQ ID NO:2 of FIG. 1, approximately nucleotides 4961-5260 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:2 of FIG. 1, approximately nucleotides 4181-4960 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:2 of FIG. 1 and approximately nucleotides 4181-5260 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:2 of FIG. 1. (It should be noted that the present invention encompasses endpoints of the nucleotide ranges which may differ by approximately 15-100 nucleotides from those recited. Further, the invention also encompasses those nucleotide sequences having from 1 to 30 base differences from those nucleotide sequences described herein provided such sequences have the same functionality as the sequences described. Such differences may be due to degeneracy in the genetic code, point mutations, etc.) The present invention also encompasses an isolated nucleic acid sequence or fragment thereof comprising or complementary to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide, wherein the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide has at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, and more preferably at least 90% amino acid identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 of SEQ ID NO:3 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4.

Additionally, the present invention includes an isolated nucleic acid sequence or fragment thereof comprising or complementary to a nucleic acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably at least 80% and more preferably at least 90% identity to a nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from approximately nucleotides 1-5256 (SEQ ID NO:4) of FIG. 3, approximately nucleotides 10-5202 (i.e., PoMSP1) of SEQ ID NO:4 of FIG. 3, approximately nucleotides 4849-5145 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:4 of FIG. 3, approximately nucleotides 4048-4848 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:4 of FIG. 3 and approximately nucleotides 4048-5145 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:4 of FIG. 3.

Further, the invention includes a method of producing any one or more of the above-described amino acid or protein sequences. This method comprises the steps of (a) isolating a nucleic acid sequence comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4 (or any of the nucleotide ranges/regions recited above), (b) constructing a vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid sequence operably linked to a regulatory sequence, and (c) introducing the vector into a host cell for a time and under conditions sufficient for expression of the encoded protein or polypeptide. The host cell may be either a eukaryotic cell or a prokaryotic cell.

The present invention also encompasses a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence or molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4 (or any of the nucleotide ranges/regions described above), operably linked to a regulatory sequence as well as a host cell comprising this vector. Again, the host cell may be either a eukaryotic cell or a prokaryotic cell.

Additionally, the present invention encompasses a method of detecting antibodies to P. malariae in a test sample suspected of containing such antibodies. The method comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, for a time and under conditions sufficient for the formation of antibody/antigen complexes and (b) detecting the presence of antibodies present in the test sample by detecting presence of the antibody/antigen complexes.

Further, the present invention includes another method of detecting antibodies to P. malariae in a test sample suspected of containing such antibodies. This method comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow for the formation of antibody/antigen complexes, (b) adding a conjugate to the resulting antibody/antigen complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the conjugate to bind to the bound antibody, wherein the conjugate comprises an antibody attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal and (c) detecting the presence of antibodies present in the test sample by detecting presence of the signal generated by the signal generating compound.

Additionally, the present invention includes another method of detecting antibodies to P. malariae in a test sample suspected of containing such antibodies. This method comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow for the formation of antibody/antigen complexes, (b) adding a conjugate to the resulting antibody/antigen complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the conjugate to bind to the bound antibody, wherein the conjugate comprises a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal and (c) detecting the presence of antibodies present in the test sample by detecting presence of the signal generated by the signal generating compound.

Also, the present invention includes a method of detecting antibodies to P. ovale in a test sample. This method comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample suspected of containing the antibodies with a P. ovale antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, for a time and under conditions sufficient for the formation of antibody/antigen complexes and (b) detecting the presence of antibodies present in the test sample by detecting presence of the antibody/antigen complexes.

Moreover, the present invention also encompasses a method of detecting antibodies to P. ovale which may be present in a test sample comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with a P. ovale antigen comprising an amino acid sequence comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow for the formation of antibody/antigen complexes, (b) adding a conjugate to the resulting antibody/antigen complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the conjugate to bind to the bound antibody, wherein the conjugate comprises an antibody attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal and (c) detecting the presence of antibodies present in the test sample by detecting presence of the signal generated by the signal generating compound.

Further, the present invention also encompasses a method of detecting antibodies to P. ovale which may be present in a test sample comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with a P. ovale antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow for the formation of antibody/antigen complexes, (b) adding a conjugate to the resulting antibody/antigen complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the conjugate to bind to the bound antibody, wherein the conjugate comprises a P. ovale antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal and (c) detecting the presence of antibodies present in the test sample by detecting presence of the signal generated by the signal generating compound.

Additionally, the present invention includes a method of detecting P. malariae antibodies in a test sample suspecting of containing the antibodies comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with anti-antibody specific for P. malariae antibody, wherein said anti-antibody is raised against an antibody raised against a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow for the formation of anti-antibody/P. malariae antibody complexes and (b) detecting the presence of P. malariae antibodies which may be present in the test sample by detecting the presence of the anti-antibody/P. malariae antibody complexes.

Further, the present invention encompasses a method of detecting P. malariae antibodies in a test sample suspected of containing the antibodies comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with anti-antibody specific for the P. malariae antibody for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow for formation of anti-antibody/P. malariae antibody complexes, (b) adding a conjugate to the resulting anti-antibody/P. malariae antibody complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the conjugate to bind to the bound antibody, wherein the conjugate comprises a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal and (c) detecting the presence of antibodies which may be present in the test sample by detecting presence of the signal generated by the signal generating compound.

Also, the present invention includes a method for detecting antibodies to P. ovale in a test sample suspected of containing said antibodies comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with anti-antibody specific for P. ovale antibody wherein said anti-antibody is raised against an antibody raised against a P. ovale antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow for formation of anti-antibody/P. ovale antibody complexes and (b) detecting the presence of P. ovale antibodies which may be present in the test sample by detecting presence of the anti-antibody/P. ovale antibody complexes.

Further, the present invention encompasses a method for detecting antibodies to P. ovale in a test sample suspected of containing the antibodies comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with anti-antibody specific for the P. ovale antibody, for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow for formation of anti-antibody/P. ovale antibody complexes, (b) adding a conjugate to the resulting anti-antibody/P. ovale antibody complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the conjugate to bind to the bound antibody, wherein the conjugate comprises a P. ovale antigen attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal, wherein said antigen comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and (c) detecting the presence of antibodies which may be present in said test sample by detecting presence of the signal generated by the signal generating compound.

Moreover, the present invention includes a method for detecting the presence of P. malariae antibodies in a test sample suspecting of containing the antibodies comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with anti-antibody specific for the antibodies for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow for formation of anti-antibody/P. malariae antibody complexes, (b) adding P. malariae antigen to the resulting anti-antibody/P. malariae antibody complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the antigen to bind to the bound antibody, wherein the antigen comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, (c) adding a conjugate to the resulting anti-antibody/P. malariae antibody/antigen complexes, wherein the conjugate comprises a composition comprising a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody attached to a signal generating compound capable of detecting a detectable signal and (d) detecting presence of antibodies which may be present in the test sample by detecting presence of the signal generated by the signal generating compound.

Also, the present invention includes a method of detecting antibodies to P. ovale in a test sample suspected of containing the antibodies comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with anti-antibody for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow for formation of anti-antibody/P. ovale antibody complexes, (b) adding P. ovale antigen to the resulting anti-antibody/P. ovale antibody complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the antigen to bind to the bound antibody, wherein said anti-antibody is raised against an antibody raised against an antigen comprising an amino acid sequence comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, (c) adding a conjugate to the resulting anti-antibody/P. ovale antibody/antigen complexes, wherein the conjugate comprises a composition comprising a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody attached to a signal generating compound capable of detecting a detectable signal and (d) detecting the presence of antibodies which may be present in the test sample by detecting presence of the signal generated by the signal generating compound.

Further, the present invention encompasses a method of detecting antibodies to P. malariae, P. falciparum, P. vivax and P. ovale in a test sample suspected of containing at least one of these types of antibodies comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with: 1) an antigen of P. malariae comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, 2) an antigen of P. ovale comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, 3) an antigen of P. falciparum and 4) an antigen of P. vivax, for a time and under conditions sufficient for the formation of P. malariae antibody/antigen complexes, P. falciparum antibody/antigen complexes, P. vivax antibody/antigen complexes and P. ovale antibody/antigen complexes and (b) detecting the presence of antibodies present in the test sample by detecting the presence of complexes. One is able to detect each type of antibody present, if desired, by attaching a different signal-generating compound to each antibody within each compound and then detecting the respective label or labels of choice. Alternatively, if one does not wish to gather information relating to the presence of one or more types of the antibodies, then the method, of course, ensures that all four types of antibodies will be captured by the antigens added to the test sample. In connection with the determination of the suitability of a blood sample donation, one is only concerned whether at least one type of antibody is present in the sample. One is not concerned about the specific type of antibody present.

The present invention also includes a method of detecting antibodies to P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. falciparum in a test sample suspected of containing at least one type of these antibodies comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with: 1) an antigen of P. malariae comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, 2) an antigen of P. ovale comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, 3) P. vivax antigen and 4) a P. falciparum antigen, for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow for the formation of P. malariae antibody/antigen complexes, P. ovale antibody/antigen complexes, P. vivax antibody/antigen complexes and P. falciparum antibody/antigen complexes, (b) adding four conjugates to the resulting antibody/antigen complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow each conjugate to bind to bound antibody, wherein: 1) a first conjugate comprises an antigen of P. malariae comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal, 2) a second conjugate comprises an antigen of P. ovale comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal, 3) a third conjugate comprises a P. vivax antigen attached to a signal generating signal capable of generating a detectable signal and 4) a fourth conjugate comprises a P. falciparum antigen attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal, and (c) detecting the presence of antibody to P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. falciparum which may be present in the test sample by detecting presence of a signal generated by the signal generating compound. (It should be noted that detection of P. knowlesi antibodies may also be accomplished in the assays and kits described herein by adding an antigen of P. knowlesi or an anti-antibody to a P. knowlesi antigen, as is appropriate. Such an antigen may also be included in the vaccine described herein comprising antigens from P. ovale, P. vivax, P. falciparum and P. malariae (used for active immunization). Further, an antibody to P. knowlesi may also be included in the vaccine described herein which includes antibodies against P. ovale, P. vivax, P. falciparum and P. malariae (used for passive immunization.))

The present invention also includes a method of detecting antibodies to P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. falciparum in a test sample suspected of containing at least one type of these antibodies comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with: 1) an antigen of P. malariae comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, 2) an antigen of P. ovale comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, 3) P. vivax antigen and 4) a P. falciparum antigen, for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow for the formation of P. malariae antibody/antigen complexes, P. ovale antibody/antigen complexes, P. vivax antibody/antigen complexes and P. falciparum antibody/antigen complexes, (b) adding a conjugate to the resulting antibody/antigen complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow each conjugate to bind to bound antibody, wherein the conjugate comprises an antibody attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal; and (c) detecting the presence of antibody to P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. falciparum antibody which may be present in the test sample by detecting presence of a signal generated by the signal generating compound.

Further, the present invention encompasses a method for detecting the presence of antibodies to P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. falciparum in a test sample suspected of containing at least one type of these antibodies comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with: 1) anti-antibody specific for P. malariae antibody wherein said anti-antibody is raised against an antigen of P. malariae comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, 2) anti-antibody specific for P. ovale wherein said anti-antibody is raised against an antibody raised against an antigen of P. ovale comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, 3) anti-antibody specific for P. vivax and 4) anti-antibody/P. falciparum antibody complexes and (b) detecting the presence of antibody to P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. falciparum which may be present in the test sample by detecting presence of the complexes. (Again, one does not need to detect the presence of all four types of complexes since the formation of complexes means that there is antibody in the sample against at least one type of species, and the assay covers the detection of all four types of antibodies. However, if one desires to specifically determine if there is antibody to one or more of the specific species in the test sample, this may be accomplished, for example, by labeling each conjugate (if present) with a different signal generating compound and determining whether different signals are generated.) Additionally, the present invention includes a method for detecting the presence of antibodies to P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. falciparum in a test sample suspected of containing one or more of these types of antibodies comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with anti-antibody to allow for the formation of anti-antibody/antibody complexes, (b) adding a first conjugate, a second conjugate, a third conjugate and a fourth conjugate to resulting anti-antibody/antibody complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the conjugates to bind to bound antibody, wherein: 1) a first conjugate comprises an antigen of P. malariae comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal, 2) a second conjugate comprises an antigen of P. ovale comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal, 3) a third conjugate comprises a P. vivax antigen attached to a signal generating signal capable of generating a detectable signal and 4) a fourth conjugate comprises a P. falciparum antigen attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal and (c) detecting the presence of antibodies to P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. falciparum in the test sample by detecting presence of a signal generated by the signal generating compound.

Moreover, the present invention also encompasses a vaccine comprising: a) at least one antigen selected from the group consisting of: 1) an antigen comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or an epitope thereof, 2) an antigen comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 or an epitope thereof, 3) a P. falciparum antigen and 4) a P. vivax antigen and b) a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.

Additionally, the present invention includes a vaccine comprising: a) an antibody raised against at least one antigen selected from the group consisting of: 1) an antigen comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or an epitope thereof, 2) an antigen comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 or an epitope thereof, 3) a P. falciparum antigen and 4) a P. vivax antigen and b) a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.

The present invention also includes a kit for determining the presence of antibody to P. malariae in a test sample comprising: a) an antigen of P. malariae comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and b) a conjugate comprising an antibody attached to a signal-generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal.

Another kit encompassed within the present invention includes a kit for determining the presence of antibody to P. ovale in a test sample comprising: a) an antigen of P. ovale comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and b) a conjugate comprising an antibody attached to a signal-generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal.

A further kit of the present invention is a kit for determining the presence of antibody to P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. falciparum in a test sample comprising: a) 1) an antigen of P. malariae comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, 2) an antigen of P. ovale comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, 3) a P. vivax antigen and 4) a P. falciparum antigen and b) a conjugate comprising an antibody attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal.

Also included within the present invention is a kit for detecting antibodies to P. malariae in a test sample comprising: a) an anti-antibody and b) an antigen of P. malariae comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2.

The present invention also encompasses a kit for detecting antibodies to P. malariae in a test sample comprising: a) an anti-antibody and b) a conjugate comprising an antigen of P. malariae, wherein the antigen comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and wherein the conjugate is attached to a signal-generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal.

Further, the present invention includes a kit for detecting antibodies to P. ovale in a test sample comprising: a) an anti-antibody and b) an antigen of P. ovale comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4.

Additionally, the present invention encompasses a kit for detecting antibodies to P. ovale in a test sample comprising: a) an anti-antibody and b) a conjugate comprising an of P. ovale comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, wherein the conjugate is attached to a signal-generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal.

Also, the present invention includes a kit for detecting antibodies to P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. falciparum in a test sample suspected of containing at least one type of these antibodies comprising: a) an anti-antibody and b) an antigen of P. malariae comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, an antigen of P. ovale comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, a P. vivax antigen and a P. falciparum antigen Moreover, the present invention encompasses a kit for detecting antibodies to P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. falciparum in a test sample suspecting of containing at least one type of such antibodies comprising: a) an anti-antibody and b) a first conjugate comprising an antigen of P. malariae comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal, a second conjugate comprising an antigen of P. ovale comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal, a third conjugate comprising a P. vivax antigen, wherein said conjugate is attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal and a fourth conjugate comprising a P. falciparum antigen, wherein said fourth conjugate is attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the P. malariae nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:2) of a gene or nucleic acid molecule derived from MSP1.

FIG. 2 illustrates the deduced P. malariae amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) of the protein encoded by SEQ ID NO:2.

FIG. 3 illustrates the P. ovale nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:4) of a gene or nucleic acid molecule derived from MSP1.

FIG. 4 illustrates the deduced P. ovale amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:3) of the protein encoded by SEQ ID NO:4.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alignment of the PmMSP1 gene sequence (SEQ ID NO:2) with the translated amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) thereof.

FIG. 6 illustrates an amino acid sequence alignment of PmMSP1 (P. malariae (top portion) (SEQ ID NO:1) versus P. vivax (bottom portion) (SEQ ID NO:5)).

FIG. 7 illustrates the DNA sequence alignment of P. malariae (Cameroon Sample 0014)(nucleotides 124-477 of SEQ ID NO:2) versus P. malariae (GenBank sequence AF138881 MSP1 5′-DNA sequence)(nucleotides 30-387 of SEQ ID NO:6).

FIG. 8 illustrates an alignment of the P. ovale MSP1 gene sequence (SEQ ID NO:4) with the translated amino acid sequence thereof (SEQ ID NO:3).

FIG. 9 illustrates an alignment of the P. ovale MSP1 amino acid sequence (top portion) (SEQ ID NO:3) versus P. vivax (bottom portion) (SEQ ID NO:5).

FIG. 10 illustrates a MSP1 amino acid sequence comparison (% identity) between P. falciparum (Genbank # BAF62278), P. vivax (Genbank # AAA63427), P. malariae (Cameroon Sample 0014) and P. ovale (Cameroon Sample 510-10).

FIG. 11 illustrates the location of MSP1 and MSP1 sub-regions for P. malariae and P. ovale.

FIG. 12 shows the evolutionary relationships of 16 MSP1 protein sequences inferred using the Neighbor-Joining method (Saitou N & Nei M (1987) Molecular Biology and Evolution 4:406-425). The bootstrap consensus tree inferred from 500 replicates (Felsenstein, J. (1985) Evolution 39:783-791) is taken to represent the evolutionary history of the taxa analyzed (Felsenstein, supra). Branches corresponding to partitions reproduced in less than 50% bootstrap replicates are collapsed. The percentage of replicate trees in which the associated taxa clustered together in the bootstrap test (500 replicates) are shown next to the branches (Felsenstein, supra). The tree is drawn to scale, with branch lengths in the same units as those of the evolutionary distances used to infer the phylogenetic tree. The evolutionary distances were computed using the Dayhoff matrix based method (Schwarz R. & Dayhoff M. (1979) Matrices for detecting distant relationships. In Dayhoff M, editor, Atlas of protein sequences, pages 353-58. National Biomedical Research Foundation) and are in the units of the number of amino acid substitutions per site. All positions containing gaps and missing data were eliminated from the dataset (Complete deletion option). There were a total of 1354 positions in the final dataset. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted in MEGA4 (Tamura et al., (2007) Molecular Biology and Evolution 24:1596-1599).

FIG. 13 shows the evolutionary relationships of 16 MSP1 protein sequences inferred using the Maximum Parsimony method (Eck R V & Dayhoff M O (1966) Atlas of Protein Sequence and Structure. National Biomedical Research Foundation, Silver Spring, Md.). The bootstrap consensus tree inferred from 500 replicates is taken to represent the evolutionary history of the taxa analyzed (Felsenstein J (1985) Evolution 39:783-791.) Branches corresponding to partitions reproduced in less than 50% bootstrap replicates are collapsed. The percentage of replicate trees in which the associated taxa clustered together in the bootstrap test (500 replicates) are shown next to the branches (Felsenstein, supra). The MP tree was obtained using the Close-Neighbor-Interchange algorithm (Nei M & Kumar S (2000) Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics. Oxford University Press, New York, pg. 128) with search level 3 (Felsenstein, supra; Nei M & Kumar S (2000) Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics. Oxford University Press, New York) in which the initial trees were obtained with the random addition of sequences (10 replicates). All positions containing gaps and missing data were eliminated from the dataset (Complete Deletion option). There were a total of 1354 positions in the final dataset, out of which 1001 were parsimony informative. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted in MEGA4 (Tamura et al. (2007) Molecular Biology and Evolution 24:1596-1599).

FIG. 14 shows the evolutionary relationships of 16 MSP1 protein sequences inferred using the UPGMA method (Sneath P H A & Sokal R R (1973) Numerical Taxonomy. Freeman, San Francisco). The bootstrap consensus tree inferred from 500 replicates (Felsenstein, supra is taken to represent the evolutionary history of the taxa analyzed (Felsenstein, supra). Branches corresponding to partitions reproduced in less than 50% bootstrap replicates are collapsed. The percentage of replicate trees in which the associated taxa clustered together in the bootstrap test (500 replicates) are shown next to the branches (Felsenstein, supra). The tree is drawn to scale, with branch lengths in the same units as those of the evolutionary distances used to infer the phylogenetic tree. The evolutionary distances were computed using the Dayhoff matrix based method (Schwarz R & Dayhoff M (1979) Matrices for detecting distant relationships. In Dayhoff M, editor, Atlas of protein sequences, pages 353-58. National Biomedical Research Foundation) and are in the units of the number of amino acid substitutions per site. All positions containing gaps and missing data were eliminated from the dataset (Complete deletion option). There were a total of 1354 positions in the final dataset. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted in MEGA4 (Tamura et al. (2007) Molecular Biology and Evolution 24:1596-1599).

FIG. 15 illustrates a prototype Abbott PRISM® (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Ill.) malaria assay format.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention relates to isolated and purified nucleic acid sequences or molecules (and the proteins encoded thereby) never before isolated from P. malariae or P. ovale. Such nucleic acid sequences and encoded proteins may be utilized for diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes to be described, in detail, below.

The Nucleic Acid Sequences and Encoded Proteins

The nucleic acid sequence of the isolated gene from P. malariae is shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:2), and the amino acid sequence of the encoded purified protein encoded by this nucleic acid sequence is shown in FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO:1). Additionally, the nucleic acid sequence of the isolated gene from P. ovale is shown in FIG. 3 (SEQ ID NO:4), and the amino acid sequence of the purified protein encoded by this nucleic acid sequence is shown in FIG. 4 (SEQ ID NO:3).

It should be noted that the present invention also encompasses nucleic acid sequences or molecules comprising nucleotide sequences which are at least about 70% identical to, preferably at least about 80% identical to, and more preferably at least about 90% identical to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4. Complements of these sequences are also encompassed by the present invention. (All integers within the range of 70 to 100 (in terms of percent identity) are also included within the scope of the invention (i.e., 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% and 100%).

It should be noted that the present invention also encompasses proteins or polypeptides comprising amino acid sequences which are at least about 70% identical to, preferably at least about 80% identical to, and more preferably at least about 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:3. (Again, all integers within the range of 70 to 100 (in terms of percent identity) are also included within the scope of the invention (i.e., 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% and 100%).

Additionally, the present invention encompasses “fragments or peptides” of the full-length polypeptides described herein. Such peptides represent portions of the polypeptide which may, for example, have specific immunogenic or binding properties. The fragment may be, for example, between 3-10 amino acids in length, 10-20 amino acids in length, 20-40 amino acids in length, 40-80 amino acids in length, 80-160 amino acids in length or even longer. Amino acid sequences having at least 70% amino acid identity, preferably at least 80% amino acid identity, and more preferably at least 90% identity to the fragments described herein are also included within the scope of the present invention. (Further, all integers between the range of 70 to 100 percent identity, as recited above, are also considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.)

An “epitope” is an antigenic determinant of a polypeptide. An epitope may comprise at least three amino acids in a spatial conformation which is unique to the epitope. Generally, an epitope consists of at least five such amino acids, and more usually, consists of at least eight to ten amino acids.

The nucleotide or amino acids sequences having the above-described percent identity (or complementary sequences with respect with nucleotide sequences) may be derived from one or more sources other than P. malariae and P. ovale. For example, the sequences may be derived from other species of malaria and, in particular, Plasmodium including but not limited to P. falciparum and P. vivax as well as from other parasites.

Furthermore, the present invention also encompasses fragments and derivatives of the nucleic acid sequences of the present invention (i.e., SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:4) as well as fragments and portions of the amino acid sequences of the present invention (i.e., SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:3). Corresponding sequences derived from non-P. malariae and non-P. ovale sources, as described above, and having the above-described complementarity or identity, as appropriate, are also considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. Functional equivalents of the above-sequences (i.e., nucleotide sequences encoding proteins having, for example, the same binding affinities, epitopes, etc. of the encoded proteins) are also encompassed by the present invention.

For purposes of the present invention, “complementarity” is defined as the degree of relatedness between two DNA segments. It is determined by measuring the ability of the sense strand of one DNA segment to hybridize with the antisense strand of the other DNA segment, under appropriate conditions, to form a double helix. In the double helix, wherever adenine appears in one strand, thymine appears in the other strand. Similarly, wherever guanine is found in one strand, cytosine is found in the other. The greater the relatedness between the nucleotide sequences of two DNA segments, the greater the ability to form hybrid duplexes between the strands of two DNA segments.

The term “identity” refers to the relatedness of two sequences on a nucleotide-by-nucleotide basis over a particular comparison window or segment. Thus, identity is defined as the degree of sameness, correspondence or equivalence between the same strands (either sense or antisense) of two DNA segments (or two amino acid sequences). “Percentage of sequence identity” is calculated by comparing two optimally aligned sequences over a particular region, determining the number of positions at which the identical base or amino acid occurs in both sequences in order to yield the number of matched positions, dividing the number of such positions by the total number of positions in the segment being compared and multiplying the result by 100. Optimal alignment of sequences may be conducted by the algorithm of Smith & Waterman, Appl. Math. 2:482 (1981), by the algorithm of Needleman & Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol. 48:443 (1970), by the method of Pearson & Lipman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 85:2444 (1988) and by computer programs which implement the relevant algorithms (e.g., Clustal Macaw Pileup (http://cmgm.stanford.edu/biochem218/11Multiple.pdf; Higgins et al., CABIOS. 5L151-153 (1989)), FASTDB (Intelligenetics), BLAST (National Center for Biomedical Information; Altschul et al., Nucleic Acids Research 25:3389-3402 (1997)), PILEUP (Genetics Computer Group, Madison, Wis.) or GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA and TFASTA (Wisconsin Genetics Software Package Release 7.0, Genetics Computer Group, Madison, Wis.). (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,120.)

“Identity between two amino acid sequences” is defined as the presence of a series of exactly alike or invariant amino acid residues in both sequences (see above definition for identity between nucleic acid sequences). The definitions of “complementarity” and “identity” are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

“Encoded by” refers to a nucleic acid sequence which codes for a polypeptide sequence, wherein the polypeptide sequence or a portion thereof contains an amino acid sequence of at least 3 amino acids, more preferably at least 8 amino acids, and even more preferably at least 15 amino acids from a polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid sequence.

The present invention also encompasses an isolated nucleic sequence which encodes a protein having functional activity similar to that represented by SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4, and that is hybridizable, under moderately stringent conditions, to a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence comprising or complementary to the nucleotide sequences described above. A nucleic acid molecule is “hybridizable” to another nucleic acid molecule when a single-stranded form of the nucleic acid molecule can anneal to the other nucleic acid molecule under the appropriate conditions of temperature and ionic strength (see Sambrook et al., “Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition (1989), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.)). The conditions of temperature and ionic strength determine the “stringency” of the hybridization. “Hybridization” requires that two nucleic acids contain complementary sequences. However, depending on the stringency of the hybridization, mismatches between bases may occur. The appropriate stringency for hybridizing nucleic acids depends on the length of the nucleic acids and the degree of complementation. Such variables are well known in the art. More specifically, the greater the degree of similarity, identity or homology between two nucleotide sequences, the greater the value of Tm for hybrids of nucleic acids having those sequences. For hybrids of greater than 100 nucleotides in length, equations for calculating Tm have been derived (see Sambrook et al., supra (1989)). For hybridization with shorter nucleic acids, the position of mismatches becomes more important, and the length of the oligonucleotide determines its specificity (see Sambrook et al., supra (1989)).

As used herein, an “isolated nucleic acid fragment or sequence” is a polymer of RNA or DNA that is single- or double-stranded, optionally containing synthetic, non-natural or altered nucleotide bases. An isolated nucleic acid fragment in the form of a polymer of DNA may be comprised of one or more segments of cDNA, genomic DNA or synthetic DNA. (A “fragment” of a specified polynucleotide refers to a polynucleotide sequence which comprises a contiguous sequence of approximately at least about 6 nucleotides, preferably at least about 8 nucleotides, more preferably at least about 10 nucleotides, and even more preferably at least about 15 nucleotides, and most preferable at least about 25 nucleotides identical or complementary to a region of the specified nucleotide sequence.) Nucleotides (usually found in their 5′-monophosphate form) are referred to by their single letter designation as follows: “A” for adenylate or deoxyadenylate (for RNA or DNA, respectively), “C” for cytidylate or deoxycytidylate, “G” for guanylate or deoxyguanylate, “U” for uridylate, “T” for deoxythymidylate, “R” for purines (A or G), “Y” for pyrimidines (C or T), “K” for G or T, “H” for A or C or T, “I” for inosine, and “N” for any nucleotide.

The terms “fragment or subfragment that is functionally equivalent” and “functionally equivalent fragment or subfragment” are used interchangeably herein. These terms refer to a portion or subsequence of an isolated nucleic acid fragment in which the ability to alter gene expression or produce a certain phenotype is retained whether or not the fragment or subfragment encodes an active enzyme. For example, the fragment or subfragment can be used in the design of chimeric constructs to produce the desired phenotype in a transformed plant. Chimeric constructs can be designed for use in co-suppression or antisense by linking a nucleic acid fragment or subfragment thereof, whether or not it encodes an active protein, in the appropriate orientation relative to a promoter sequence.

The terms “homology”, “homologous”, “substantially similar” and “corresponding substantially” are used interchangeably herein. They refer to nucleic acid fragments wherein changes in one or more nucleotide bases does not affect the ability of the nucleic acid fragment to mediate gene expression or produce a certain phenotype. These terms also refer to modifications of the nucleic acid fragments of the instant invention such as deletion or insertion of one or more nucleotides that do not substantially alter the functional properties of the resulting nucleic acid fragment relative to the initial, unmodified fragment. It is therefore understood, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, that the invention encompasses more than the specific exemplary sequences described herein.

“Gene” refers to a nucleic acid fragment that expresses a specific protein, including regulatory sequences preceding (5′ non-coding sequences) and following (3′ non-coding sequences) the coding sequence.

“Native gene” refers to a gene as found in nature with its own regulatory sequences. In contrast, “chimeric construct” refers to a combination of nucleic acid fragments that are not normally found together in nature. Accordingly, a chimeric construct may comprise regulatory sequences and coding sequences that are derived from different sources, or regulatory sequences and coding sequences derived from the same source, but arranged in a manner different than that normally found in nature. (The term “isolated” means that the sequence is removed from its natural environment.)

A “foreign” gene refers to a gene not normally found in the host organism, but that is introduced into the host organism by gene transfer. Foreign genes can comprise native genes inserted into a non-native organism, or chimeric constructs. A “transgene” is a gene that has been introduced into the genome by a transformation procedure.

A “probe” or “primer” as used herein is a polynucleotide that is at least 8 nucleotides in length and forms a hybrid structure with a target sequence, due to complementarity of at least one sequence in the probe or primer with a sequence in the target region. The polynucleotide regions of the probe can be composed of DNA and/or RNA and/or synthetic nucleotide analogs. Preferably, the probe does not contain a sequence that is complementary to the sequence or sequences used to prime for a target sequence during the polymerase chain reaction.

“Coding sequence” refers to a DNA sequence that codes for a specific amino acid sequence. “Regulatory sequences” refer to nucleotide sequences located upstream (5′ non-coding sequences), within, or downstream (3′ non-coding sequences) of a coding sequence, and which influence the transcription, RNA processing or stability, or translation of the associated coding sequence. Regulatory sequences may include, but are not limited to, promoters, translation leader sequences, introns, and polyadenylation recognition sequences.

“Promoter” (or “regulatory sequence”) refers to a DNA sequence capable of controlling the expression of a coding sequence or functional RNA. The promoter sequence, for example, consists of proximal and more distal upstream elements, the latter elements often referred to as enhancers. Accordingly, an “enhancer” is a DNA sequence that can stimulate promoter activity and may be an innate element of the promoter or a heterologous element inserted to enhance the level or tissue-specificity of a promoter. Regulatory sequences (e.g., a promoter) can also be located within the transcribed portions of genes, and/or downstream of the transcribed sequences. Promoters may be derived in their entirety from a native gene, or be composed of different elements derived from different promoters found in nature, or even comprise synthetic DNA segments. It is understood by those skilled in the art that different promoters may direct the expression of a gene in different tissues or cell types, or at different stages of development, or in response to different environmental conditions. Promoters which cause a gene to be expressed in most host cell types, at most times, are commonly referred to as “constitutive promoters”. New promoters of various types useful in plant cells are constantly being discovered; numerous examples may be found in the compilation by Okamuro and Goldberg, (1989) Biochemistry of Plants 15:1-82. It is further recognized that since, in most cases, the exact boundaries of regulatory sequences have not been completely defined, DNA fragments of some variation may have identical promoter activity.

An “intron” is an intervening sequence in a gene that does not encode a portion of the protein sequence. Thus, such sequences are transcribed into RNA but are then excised and are not translated. The term is also used for the excised RNA sequences. An “exon” is a portion of the gene sequence that is transcribed and is found in the mature messenger RNA derived from the gene, but is not necessarily a part of the sequence that encodes the final gene product.

The “translation leader sequence” refers to a DNA sequence located between the promoter sequence of a gene and the coding sequence. The translation leader sequence is present in the fully processed mRNA upstream of the translation start sequence. The translation leader sequence may affect processing of the primary transcript to mRNA, mRNA stability or translation efficiency. Examples of translation leader sequences have been described (Turner, R. and Foster, G. D. (1995) Molecular Biotechnology 3:225).

The “3′ non-coding sequences” refer to DNA sequences located downstream of a coding sequence and include polyadenylation recognition sequences and other sequences encoding regulatory signals capable of affecting mRNA processing or gene expression. The polyadenylation signal is usually characterized by affecting the addition of polyadenylic acid tracts to the 3′ end of the mRNA precursor. The use of different 3′ non-coding sequences is exemplified by Ingelbrecht et al., (1989) Plant Cell 1:671-680.

“RNA transcript” refers to the product resulting from RNA polymerase-catalyzed transcription of a DNA sequence. When the RNA transcript is a perfect complementary copy of the DNA sequence, it is referred to as the primary transcript or it may be a RNA sequence derived from post-transcriptional processing of the primary transcript and is referred to as the mature RNA. “

Messenger RNA (mRNA)” refers to the RNA that is without introns and that can be translated into protein by the cell. “cDNA” refers to a DNA that is complementary to and synthesized from a mRNA template using the enzyme reverse transcriptase. The cDNA can be single-stranded or converted into the double-stranded form using the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I. “Sense” RNA refers to RNA transcript that includes the mRNA and can be translated into protein within a cell or in vitro. “Antisense RNA” refers to an RNA transcript that is complementary to all or part of a target primary transcript or mRNA and that blocks the expression of a target gene (U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,065). The complementarity of an antisense RNA may be with any part of the specific gene transcript, i.e., at the 5′ non-coding sequence, 3′ non-coding sequence, introns, or the coding sequence. “Functional RNA” refers to antisense RNA, ribozyme RNA, or other RNA that may not be translated but yet has an effect on cellular processes. The terms “complement” and “reverse complement” are used interchangeably herein with respect to mRNA transcripts, and are meant to define the antisense RNA of the message.

The term “endogenous RNA” refers to any RNA which is encoded by any nucleic acid sequence present in the genome of the host prior to transformation with the recombinant construct of the present invention, whether naturally-occurring or non-naturally occurring, i.e., introduced by recombinant means, mutagenesis, etc.

The term “non-naturally occurring” means artificial, not consistent with what is normally found in nature.

The term “operably linked” refers to the association of nucleic acid sequences on a single nucleic acid fragment so that the function of one is regulated by the other. For example, a promoter is operably linked with a coding sequence when it is capable of regulating the expression of that coding sequence (i.e., that the coding sequence is under the transcriptional control of the promoter). Coding sequences can be operably linked to regulatory sequences in a sense or antisense orientation. In another example, the complementary RNA regions of the invention can be operably linked, either directly or indirectly, 5′ to the target mRNA, or 3′ to the target mRNA, or within the target mRNA, or a first complementary region is 5′ and its complement is 3′ to the target mRNA.

The term “expression”, as used herein, refers to the production of a functional end-product. Expression of a gene involves transcription of the gene and translation of the mRNA into a precursor or mature protein. “Antisense inhibition” refers to the production of antisense RNA transcripts capable of suppressing the expression of the target protein. “Co-suppression” refers to the production of sense RNA transcripts capable of suppressing the expression of identical or substantially similar foreign or endogenous genes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,020).

“Mature” protein refers to a post-translationally processed polypeptide; i.e., one from which any pre- or pro-peptides present in the primary translation product have been removed. “Precursor” protein refers to the primary product of translation of mRNA; i.e., with pre- and pro-peptides still present. Pre- and pro-peptides may be but are not limited to intracellular localization signals.

“Stable transformation” refers to the transfer of a nucleic acid fragment into a genome of a host organism, resulting in genetically stable inheritance. In contrast, “transient transformation” refers to the transfer of a nucleic acid fragment into the nucleus, or DNA-containing organelle, of a host organism resulting in gene expression without integration or stable inheritance. Host organisms containing the transformed nucleic acid fragments are referred to as “transgenic” organisms. The term “transformation” as used herein refers to both stable transformation and transient transformation.

Standard recombinant DNA and molecular cloning techniques used herein are well known in the art and are described more fully in Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F. and Maniatis, T. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press: Cold Spring Harbor, 1989 (hereinafter “Sambrook”).

The term “recombinant” refers to an artificial combination of two otherwise separated segments of sequence, e.g., by chemical synthesis or by the manipulation of isolated segments of nucleic acids by genetic engineering techniques.

“PCR” or “Polymerase Chain Reaction” is a technique for the synthesis of large quantities of specific DNA segments, consists of a series of repetitive cycles (Perkin Elmer Cetus Instruments, Norwalk, Conn.). Typically, the double stranded DNA is heat denatured, the two primers complementary to the 3′ boundaries of the target segment are annealed at low temperature and then extended at an intermediate temperature. One set of these three consecutive steps is referred to as a cycle.

Polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) is a powerful technique used to amplify DNA millions of fold, by repeated replication of a template, in a short period of time. (Mullis et al., Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 51:263-273 (1986); Erlich et al., European Patent Application No. 50,424; European Patent Application No. 84,796; European Patent Application No. 258,017, European Patent Application No. 237,362; European Patent Application No. 201,184, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,202; 4,582,788; and 4,683,194). The process utilizes sets of specific in vitro synthesized oligonucleotides to prime DNA synthesis. The design of the primers is dependent upon the sequences of DNA that are to be analyzed. The technique is carried out through many cycles (usually 20-50) of melting the template at high temperature, allowing the primers to anneal to complementary sequences within the template and then replicating the template with DNA polymerase.

The products of PCR reactions are analyzed by separation in agarose gels followed by ethidium bromide staining and visualization with UV transillumination. Alternatively, radioactive dNTPs can be added to the PCR in order to incorporate label into the products. In this case the products of PCR are visualized by exposure of the gel to x-ray film. The added advantage of radiolabeling PCR products is that the levels of individual amplification products can be quantitated.

The terms “recombinant construct”, “expression construct” and “recombinant expression construct” are used interchangeably herein. These terms refer to a functional unit of genetic material that can be inserted into the genome of a cell using standard methodology well known to one skilled in the art. Such a construct may be itself or may be used in conjunction with a vector. If a vector is used, then the choice of vector is dependent upon the method that will be used to transform host plants, as is well known to those skilled in the art. For example, a plasmid can be used. The skilled artisan is well aware of the genetic elements that must be present on the vector in order to successfully transform, select and propagate host cells comprising any of the isolated nucleic acid fragments of the invention. The skilled artisan will also recognize that different independent transformation events will result in different levels and patterns of expression (Jones et al., (1985) EMBO J. 4:2411-2418; De Almeida et al., (1989) Mol. Gen. Genetics 218:78-86), and thus that multiple events must be screened in order to obtain lines displaying the desired expression level and pattern. Such screening may be accomplished by Southern analysis of DNA, Northern analysis of mRNA expression, Western analysis of protein expression, or phenotypic analysis.

Production of the Proteins

Once the gene encoding the protein of interest has been isolated, it may then be introduced into either a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell, through the use of a vector or construct, in order for the host cell to express the protein of interest. The vector, for example, a bacteriophage, cosmid or plasmid, may comprise the nucleic acid sequence encoding the enzyme, as well as any regulatory sequence (e.g., promoter) that is functional in the host cell and is able to elicit expression of the protein encoded by the nucleic acid sequence. The regulatory sequence (e.g., promoter) is in operable association with, or operably linked to, the nucleotide sequence. (A regulatory sequence (e.g., promoter) is said to be “operably linked” with a coding sequence if the regulatory sequence affects transcription or expression of the coding sequence.) Suitable promoters include, for example, those from genes encoding alcohol dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucoisomerase, phosphoglycerate kinase, acid phosphatase, T7, TPI, lactase, metallothionein, cytomegalovirus immediate early, whey acidic protein, glucoamylase, promoters activated in the presence of galactose, for example, GAL1 and GAL10, as well as any other promoters involved in prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems. Additionally, nucleic acid sequences that encode other proteins may also be included within the vector as well as other non-promoter regulatory sequences such as, for example, a polyadenylation signal (e.g., the poly-A signal of SV-40T-antigen, ovalalbumin or bovine growth hormone). The choice of sequences present in the construct is dependent upon the desired expression products as well as the nature of the host cell.

As noted above, once the vector has been constructed, it may then be introduced into the host cell of choice by methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art including, for example, transfection, transformation and electroporation (see Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) ed., Vol. 1-3, ed. Sambrook et al., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989)). The host cell is then cultured under suitable conditions permitting expression of the desired protein that is then recovered and purified.

Examples of suitable prokaryotic host cells include, for example, bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Actinomycetes such as Streptomyces coelicolor, Streptomyces lividans, as well as cyanobacteria such as Spirulina spp. (i.e., blue-green algae). Examples of suitable eukaryotic host cells include, for example, mammalian cells, plant cells, yeast cells such as Saccharomyces spp., Lipomyces spp., Candida spp. such as Yarrowia (Candida) spp., Kluyveromyces spp., Pichia spp., Trichoderma spp. or Hansenula spp., or fungal cells such as filamentous fungal cells, for example, Aspergillus, Neurospora and Penicillium. Preferably, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) cells are utilized.

Expression in a host cell can be accomplished in a transient or stable fashion. Transient expression can occur from introduced constructs which contain expression signals functional in the host cell, but which constructs do not replicate and rarely integrate in the host cell, or where the host cell is not proliferating. Transient expression also can be accomplished by inducing the activity of a regulatable promoter operably linked to the gene of interest, although such inducible systems frequently exhibit a low basal level of expression. Stable expression can be achieved by introduction of a construct that can integrate into the host genome or that autonomously replicates in the host cell. Stable expression of the gene of interest can be selected for through the use of a selectable marker located on or transfected with the expression construct, followed by selection for cells expressing the marker. When stable expression results from integration, the site of the construct's integration can occur randomly within the host genome or can be targeted through the use of constructs containing regions of homology with the host genome sufficient to target recombination with the host locus. Where constructs are targeted to an endogenous locus, all or some of the transcriptional and translational regulatory regions can be provided by the endogenous locus.

A transgenic mammal may also be used in order to express the protein of interest encoded by one or both of the above-described nucleic acid sequences. More specifically, once the above-described construct is created, it may be inserted into the pronucleus of an embryo. The embryo may then be implanted into a recipient female. Alternatively, a nuclear transfer method could also be utilized (Schnieke et al., Science (1997) 278:2130-2133). Gestation and birth are then permitted to occur (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,750,176 and 5,700,671), and milk, tissue or other fluid samples from the offspring should then contain the protein of interest. The mammal utilized as the host may be selected from the group consisting of, for example, a mouse, a rat, a rabbit, a pig, a goat, a sheep, a horse and a cow. However, any mammal may be used provided it has the ability to incorporate DNA encoding the protein of interest into its genome.

In view of the above, the present invention also encompasses a method of producing one or more of the proteins described above comprising the steps of: 1) isolating the desired nucleic acid sequence(s) of the gene encoding the protein(s) (i.e., SEQ ID NO:2 and/or SEQ ID NO:4; 2) constructing a vector comprising said nucleic acid sequence(s); and 3) introducing said vector into a host cell for a time and conditions sufficient for the production of the protein(s).

Uses of the Genes and Proteins Encoded Thereby

As noted above, the isolated nucleic acid sequences (or genes) and the corresponding proteins (or purified polypeptides) encoded thereby have many beneficial uses. The difficulties of existing assays for the detection of antibodies to all four species of Plasmodium have been described, in detail, above. Thus, there was a significant need to discover antigens in connection with all four species that could be used in immunoassays that could accurately detect the presence of such antibodies in positive serum or plasma, thereby eliminating the problem of false negatives tests. The present invention provides such needed immunoassays and, in particular, sole antigens or combinations of antigens which accurately detect the presence of antibodies to all four species of Plasmodium in human sera.

Furthermore, the present invention also includes a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody raised against the above-described proteins. Such an antibody may be used, for example, in an immunoassay, a vaccine (for passive immunization), a kit, or for research purposes.

The uses noted above are described, in detail, as follows:

Immunoassays

There are two basic types of assays, competitive and non-competitive (e.g., immunometric and sandwich, respectively). In both assays, antibody or antigen reagents are covalently or non-covalently attached to the solid phase. (See The Immunoassay Handbook, 2^(nd) Edition, edited by David Wild, Nature Publishing Group, London 2001). Linking agents for covalent attachment are known and may be part of the solid phase or derivatized to it prior to coating. Examples of solid phases used in immunoassays are porous and non-porous materials, latex particles, magnetic particles, microparticles, strips, beads, membranes, microtiter wells and plastic tubes. The choice of solid phase material and method of labeling the antigen or antibody reagent are determined based upon desired assay format performance characteristics. For some immunoassays, no label is required. For example, if the antigen is on a detectable particle such as a red blood cell, reactivity can be established based upon agglutination. Alternatively, an antigen-antibody reaction may result in a visible change (e.g., radial immunodiffusion). In most cases, one of the antibody or antigen reagents used in an immunoassay is attached to a signal generating compound or “label”. This signal generating compound or “label” is in itself detectable or may be reacted with one or more additional compounds to generate a detectable product (see also U.S. Pat. No. 6,395,472 B1). Examples of such signal generating compounds include chromogens, radioisotopes (e.g., 125I, 131I, 32P, 3H, 35S, and 14C), fluorescent compounds (e.g., fluorescein, rhodamine), chemiluminescent compounds, particles (visible or fluorescent), nucleic acids, complexing agents, or catalysts such as enzymes (e.g., alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, horseradish peroxidase, beta-galactosidase, and ribonuclease). In the case of enzyme use, addition of chromo-, fluoro-, or lumo-genic substrate results in generation of a detectable signal. Other detection systems such as time-resolved fluorescence, internal-reflection fluorescence, amplification (e.g., polymerase chain reaction) and Raman spectroscopy are also useful.

There are two general formats commonly used to monitor specific antibody titer and type in humans: (1) antigen is presented on a solid phase, as described above, the human biological fluid containing the specific antibodies is allowed to react with the antigen, and then antibody bound to antigen is detected with an anti-human antibody coupled to a signal generating compound and (2) an anti-human antibody is bound to the solid phase, the human biological fluid containing specific antibodies is allowed to react with the bound antibody, and then antigen attached to a signal generating compound is added to detect specific antibody present in the fluid sample. In both formats, the anti-human antibody reagent may recognize all antibody classes, or alternatively, be specific for a particular class or subclass of antibody, depending upon the intended purpose of the assay. These assays formats as well as other known formats are intended to be within the scope of the present invention and are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Of course, any of the exemplary formats herein and any assay or kit according to the invention can be adapted or optimized for use in automated and semi-automated systems (including those in which there is a solid phase comprising a microparticle), as described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,089,424 and 5,006,309, and as, e.g., commercially marketed by Abbott Laboratories (Abbott Park, Ill.) including but not limited to Abbott's ARCHITECT®, AxSYM, IMX, PRISM, and Quantum II platforms, as well as other platforms.

Additionally, the assays and kits of the present invention optionally can be adapted or optimized for point of care assay systems, including Abbott's Point of Care (i-STAT™) electrochemical immunoassay system. Immunosensors and methods of manufacturing and operating them in single-use test devices are described, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,081 and published U.S. Patent Application Nos. 20030170881, 20040018577, 20050054078, and 20060160164 (incorporated by reference herein for their teachings regarding same).

In view of the above, the present invention includes a method of detecting antibodies to P. malariae in a test sample comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample suspected of containing the antibodies with a P. malariae protein or antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2; and (b) detecting the presence of antibodies present in the test sample. More specifically, the present invention includes a method of detecting antibodies to P. malariae in a test sample comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample suspected of containing the antibodies with a P. malariae protein or antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the formation of antibody/antigen complexes; (b) adding a conjugate to the resulting antibody/antigen complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the conjugate to bind to the bound antibody, the conjugate comprising an antibody attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal; (c) detecting the presence of the antibody which may be present in the test sample by detecting the signal generated by the signal generating compound. A control or calibrator may also be used which binds to the antigen.

Additionally, the present invention encompasses a method of detecting antibodies to P. ovale which may be present in a test sample comprising the steps of (a) contacting the test sample suspected of containing the antibodies with a P. ovale protein or antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4; and (b) detecting the presence of antibodies present in the test sample. More specifically, the present invention includes a method of detecting antibodies to P. ovale in a test sample comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample suspected of containing the P. ovale antibodies with a P. ovale protein or antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the formation of antibody/antigen complexes; (b) adding a conjugate to the resulting antibody/antigen complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the conjugate to bind to the bound antibody, the conjugate comprising an antibody attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal; (c) detecting the presence of the antibody which may be present in the test sample by detecting the signal generated by the signal generating compound. Again, a control or calibrator may also be used which binds to the antigen.

The present invention further includes a different method for detecting the presence of antibodies which may be present in a test sample. This method comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample suspected of containing antibodies to P. malariae with anti-antibody, for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow for formation of anti-antibody/P. malariae antibody complexes and (b) detecting the presence of P. malariae antibody which may be present in the test sample. (Such anti-antibodies are commercially available and may be created, for example, by immunizing a mammal with purified mu-chain of the antibody.) More specifically, this method may comprise the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample suspected of containing antibodies to P. malariae with anti-antibody for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the formation of anti-antibody/P. malariae antibody complexes; (b) adding a conjugate to the resulting anti-antibody/P. malariae antibody complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the conjugate to bind to the bound antibody, the conjugate comprising a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal; and (c) detecting the presence of the antibodies which may be present in the test sample by detecting the signal generated by the signal generating compound. A control or calibrator may be used which comprises antibody to the anti-antibody.

Additionally, the present invention includes a method for detecting antibodies to P. ovale in a test sample comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample suspected of containing antibodies to P. ovale with anti-antibody specific for P. ovale antibody, for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow for formation of anti-antibody/P. ovale antibody complexes and (b) detecting the presence of P. ovale antibody which may be present in the test sample. More specifically, this method may comprise the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample suspected of containing the antibodies to P. ovale with anti-antibody for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the formation of anti-antibody/P. ovale antibody complexes; (b) adding a conjugate to the resulting anti-antibody/P. ovale antibody complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the conjugate to bind to the bound antibody, the conjugate comprising a P. ovale antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal; and (c) detecting the presence of the antibodies which may be present in the test sample by detecting the signal generated by the signal generating compound. Again, a control or calibrator may be used which comprises antibody to the anti-antibody.

The present invention also encompasses a third method for detecting the presence of P. malariae antibodies in a test sample. This method comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample suspected of containing the antibodies with anti-antibody, for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the formation of anti-antibody/P. malariae antibody complexes; (b) adding P. malariae antigen to the resulting anti-antibody/P. malariae antibody complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the antigen to bind to the bound antibody, the antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2; and (c) adding a conjugate to the resulting anti-antibody/P. malariae antibody/antigen complexes, the conjugate comprising a composition comprising monoclonal or polyclonal antibody attached to a signal generating compound capable of detecting a detectable signal; and (d) detecting the presence of the antibodies which may be present in the test sample by detecting the signal generated by the signal generating compound. Again, a control or calibrator may be used which comprises antibody to the anti-antibody.

In a similar manner, the present invention also includes a third method for detecting antibodies to P. ovale in a test sample. This method comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample suspected of containing the antibodies with anti-antibody, for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the formation of anti-antibody/P. ovale antibody complexes; (b) adding P. ovale antigen to the resulting anti-antibody/P. ovale antibody complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the antigen to bind to the bound antibody, the antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4; and (c) adding a conjugate to the resulting anti-antibody/P. ovale antibody/antigen complexes, the conjugate comprising a composition comprising a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody attached to a signal generating compound capable of detecting a detectable signal; and (d) detecting the presence of the antibodies which may be present in the test sample by detecting the signal generated by the signal generating compound. Again, a control or calibrator may be used which comprises antibody to the anti-antibody.

In addition to the above-described assays in which one is detecting the presence of antibodies against one species of Plasmodium (e.g., P. malariae or P. ovale), one may also carry out assays that detect antibodies in a test sample against two or more species of Plasmodium. For example, one may wish to carry out an assay in which one can detect all four known species of Plasmodium (as well as P. knowlesi), thereby eliminating the risk of false negative results obtained with existing assays. Thus, the present invention includes a method of detecting antibodies to P. malariae, P. falciparum, P. vivax and P. ovale in a test sample comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample suspected of containing at least one of these four types of antibodies with: 1) an antigen of P. malariae comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, 2) an antigen of P. ovale comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, 3) an antigen of P. falciparum and 4) an antigen of P. vivax; and (b) detecting the presence of antibodies, to one or more of said antigens, present in the test sample, by detecting presence of complexes, for example. More specifically, the present invention includes a method of detecting antibodies to P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. falciparum in a test sample comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample suspected of containing at least one of these four types of antibodies with a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, a P. ovale antigen comprising selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, a P. vivax antigen and a P. falciparum antigen for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the formation of antibody/antigen complexes; (b) adding a conjugate to the resulting antibody/antigen complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow each conjugate to bind to the bound antibody wherein said conjugate comprises an antibody attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal; and (c) detecting the presence of antibody which may be present in the test sample by detecting the signal generated by the signal generating compound. A control or calibrator may also be used which binds to the antigens. (The presence of the complexes indicates that at least one of the four types of antibodies is present in the test sample. In particular, the assay has the ability to detect the presence of all four types of antibodies in a sample thereby rendering the sample positive and preventing false negatives. One may not wish to know precisely which one or more of the antibody types is present (as when screening a suitable blood sample for donation purposes); however, as is described herein, such a determination is possible if desired.)

It should be noted that any previously described P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and P. ovale antigen or antigens may be utilized in combination with any one or more of the antigens of the present invention (e.g., Merozoite Surface Protein, Circumsporozoite Surface Protein Exported Protein 1, Apical Membrane Antigen, Cystoadherence-Linked Asexual Gene, Histidine-rich protein 2, FeSOD, pLDH and Erythrocyte binding antigen) with respect to the kits, vaccines and assays described herein.

Additionally, the present invention further includes a different method for detecting the presence of the four types of Plasmodium antibodies which may be present in a test sample. This method comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with: 1) anti-antibody for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow for formation of anti-antibody/P. malariae antibody complexes, anti-antibody/P. ovale antibody complexes, anti-antibody/P. vivax antibody complexes and 4) anti-antibody/P. falciparum antibody complexes and (b) detecting the presence of P. malariae antibody, P. ovale antibody, P. vivax antibody and P. falciparum antibody which may be present in the test sample. (Anti-antibodies to P. vivax and P. falciparum are commercially available and may be created, for example, by immunizing a mammal with purified mu-chain of the antibody.) More specifically, this method may comprise the steps of: (a) contacting the test sample with anti-antibody, for a time and conditions sufficient to allow the formation of anti-antibody/P. malariae antibody complexes, anti-antibody/P. ovale antibody complexes, anti-antibody/P. vivax antibody complexes and anti-antibody/P. falciparum antibody complexes; (b) adding a first conjugate, a second conjugate, a third conjugate and a fourth conjugate to resulting anti-antibody/antibody complexes for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the conjugates to bind to bound antibody, the first conjugate comprising a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal, the second conjugate comprising a P. ovale antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal, the third conjugate comprising a P. vivax antigen attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal and the fourth conjugate comprising a P. falciparum antigen attached to a signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal; and (c) detecting the presence of antibody which may be present in the test sample by detecting a signal generated by the signal generating compounds. Control or calibrators may be used which comprise antibody to the anti-antibodies.

Vaccines

The present invention also includes a vaccine comprising one or more of the antigens described herein. Such a vaccine is used for active immunization of a mammal, for example, a human who will be exposed to one or more Plasmodium antigens (for example, due to travel within a region in which malaria is prevalent). For example, the vaccine may contain at least one antigen selected from the group consisting of: 1) a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, 2) a P. ovale antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, 3) a P. vivax antigen, and 4) a P. falciparum antigen. The vaccine may also comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant (e.g., Freund's adjuvant or Phosphate Buffered Saline). Preferably, all four antigens are present within the vaccine or administered composition.

Alternatively, if passive immunization is desired, one may administer one or more antibodies to the following antigens (as a vaccination): 1) a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, 2) a P. ovale antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, 3) a P. vivax antigen and 4)a P. falciparum antigen. Again, preferably all four types of antibodies are present within the vaccine in order to provide the most protection to the mammal in question.

Diagnostic Kits

Diagnostic kits are also included within the scope of the present invention. More specifically, the present invention includes kits for determining the presence of antibodies to P. malariae in a test sample. In particular, the present invention includes a kit for determining the presence of antibody to P. malariae in a test sample. The kit comprises: a) a P. malariae antigen comprising the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and b) a conjugate comprising an antibody attached to a signal-generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal. The kit may also contain a control or calibrator which comprises a reagent which binds to the antigen.

The present invention also includes a kit for determining the presence of antibody to P. ovale in a test sample. The kit comprises: a) a P. ovale antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and b) a conjugate comprising an antibody attached to a signal-generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal.

Additionally, the present invention includes a kit for determining the presence of antibody to P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. falciparum. This kit comprises: a) 1) a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, 2) a P. ovale antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, 3) a P. vivax antigen and 4) a P. falciparum antigen and b) a conjugate comprising an antibody attached to a first signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal.

The present invention also includes another type of kit for detecting antibodies to P. malariae in a test sample. The kit may comprise a) an anti-antibody and b) a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2. A control or calibrator comprising a reagent which binds to the P. malariae antigen may also be included. More specifically, the kit may comprise a) an anti-antibody and b) a conjugate comprising a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, the conjugate being attached to a signal-generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal. Again, the kit may also comprise a control or calibrator comprising a reagent which binds to the P. malariae antigen.

The present invention also includes another type of kit for detecting antibodies to P. ovale in a test sample. The kit may comprise a) an anti-antibody specific for P. ovale antibody and b) a P. ovale antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4. A control or calibrator comprising a reagent which binds to the P. ovale antigen may also be included. More specifically, the kit may comprise a) an anti-antibody specific for P. ovale antibody and b) a conjugate comprising a P. ovale antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, the conjugate being attached to a signal-generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal. Again, the kit may also comprise a control or calibrator comprising a reagent which binds to the P. ovale antigen.

The present invention also includes another type of kit for detecting antibodies to P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. falciparum in a test sample. The kit may comprise: a) an anti-antibody and b) a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence comprising selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, a P. ovale antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, a P. vivax antigen and a P. falciparum antigen. A control or calibrator comprising a reagent which binds to the P. ovale antigen may also be included. More specifically, the kit may comprise a) an anti-antibody and b) a first conjugate comprising a P. malariae antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1751 (i.e., PmMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:1) of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1634-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, approximately amino acids 1374-1633 (i.e., PmMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2 and approximately amino acids 1374-1733 (i.e., PmMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:1 of FIG. 2, attached to a first signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal, a second conjugate comprising a P. ovale antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of approximately amino acids 1-1730 (i.e., PoMSP1) (SEQ ID NO:3) of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1614-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p19) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4, approximately amino acids 1347-1613 (i.e., PoMSP1-p33) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 and approximately amino acids 1347-1712 (i.e., PoMSP1-p42) of SEQ ID NO:3 of FIG. 4 attached to a second signal generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal, a third conjugate comprising a P. falciparum antigen attached to a third signal generating compound and a fourth conjugate comprising a P. vivax antigen attached to a forth signal-generating compound capable of generating a detectable signal. Again, the kit may also comprise one or more controls or calibrators comprising one or more reagents which bind to the Plasmodium antigen(s).

The present invention may be illustrated by the use of the following non-limiting examples:

EXAMPLES Example 1 Identification of Clinical Samples Infected With P. malariae and P. ovate

DNA was extracted from 82 whole blood samples (200 μl each) obtained from a malaria endemic region (Cameroon) using the QIAamp DNA Blood Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert. Subsequently, the method of Mangold et. al. (J. Clin. Micro., 43, p. 2435-2440, 2005, described below) was used to screen for the presence of Plasmodium DNA, and when detected, to make a species determination.

PCR was performed on each of the extracted Cameroon samples using a pair of primers designed to amplify a short portion of the 18S rRNA gene from any of the four human-infective Plasmodium species (P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and P. ovale). The PCR's were performed in a final volume of 25 μl containing 1×SYBR Green I Master (Roche, Indianapolis, Ind.), 0.5 μM each of the two primers PL1473F18 (SEQ ID No: 7) and PL1679R18 (SEQ ID No: 8) and DNA extracted from the equivalent of 1 μl of whole blood. Thermal cycling conditions for amplification were as follows: 1 cycle (95° C. for 9 minutes), 40 cycles (94° C. for 20 seconds, 50° C. for 30 seconds, 72° C. for 30 seconds) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 5 minutes). For comparison, four control PCR's were performed, each containing 10⁵ plasmid copies of the cloned 18S rRNA gene (available from the American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va.) from one of the four human-infective Plasmodium species.

A portion (5 μl) of each reaction was electrophoresed on a 1.0% agarose TAE ethidium bromide gel to screen for the presence of the 18S rDNA amplicon. Of the 82 samples tested, 30 were selected for further analysis based on the presence of an amplicon of the predicted size (˜200 base pairs). A melting curve analysis was performed on the remainder (20 μl) of the 30 selected PCR's as described (Mangold et. al., J. Clin. Micro., 43, p. 2435-2440, 2005) and the Tm for each amplicon was compared to those of the of the four control amplicons, each of which has a characteristic Tm. Based on these results, three potential P. malariae infected samples, and four potential P. ovale infected samples were identified. The three P. malariae (#0014, #609-39, #240-16) and two of the P. ovale containing samples (#684-22, #1045-36) appeared to be co-infected with P. falciparum, whereas the other two P. ovale samples (#283-4, #510-10) appear to be single infections. All the other samples appeared to be singly infected with P. falciparum.

More 18S rDNA amplicons were generated as described above, and the amplicons subsequently purified using the Gene Clean Spin Kit (MP Biochemcials, Solon, Ohio) according to the package insert. Sequence of the 18S rDNA amplicons was determined for the two P. ovale-only samples (#283-4, #510-10), and for one of the P. malariae/P. falciparum co-infected samples (#0014). Blast analysis vs. Genbank demonstrated 100% homology of the putative P. ovale amplicons with P. ovale rDNA sequences in the database, confirming the presence of P. ovale DNA in these two samples. Sequence from the 0014 co-infected sample was highly homologous to P. falciparum. However, from the sequencing chromatograms, it was clear that a second underlying sequence was also present. This was not the case for the two P. ovale sequences, which had no indication of the presence of a secondary sequence. Confirmation of the presence of P. malariae DNA in the 0014 co-infected sample is described in Example 2.

Example 2 Amplification and Sequencing of the P. malariae MSP1 Gene

5′- Region of PmMSP1

This section describes the approach used to obtain sequence from near the 5′-end of the P. malariae MSP1 gene. A short stretch of sequence located near the 5′-end of the P. malariae MSP1 gene has been published (Fandeur et. al., Parasitology, 120, p. 11-21, 2000) and can be found in the Genbank database (Accession # AF138881). Degenerate primers As1 (SEQ ID No:9) and As2 (SEQ ID No:10) designed to amplify an approximately 387 base pair region of the 5′-end of the MSP1 gene from multiple Plasmodium species have been described, along with a nested P. malariae-specific primer pair, PmMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID No:11) and PmMSP1-R1 (SEQ ID No:12) (Fandeur et. al., Parasitology, 120, p. 11-21, 2000). The sequences of primers As1 (SEQ ID NO:9) and PmMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:11) used here are slightly different than those reported by Fandeur et. al.

Nested PCR amplification using the degenerate and P. malariae-specific primers was performed on the three extracted samples previously identified as possibly containing P. malariae DNA (#0014, #609-39, #240-16, see Example 1) as follows. The first round PCR's were performed in a final volume of 20 μl containing 1×SYBR Green I Master (Roche, Indianapolis, Ind.), 1.0 μM each of the two primers As1 (SEQ ID NO:9) and As2 (SEQ ID NO:10) and DNA extracted from the equivalent of 1 μl of whole blood (see Example 1). Thermal cycling conditions for amplification were as follows: 1 cycle (95° C. for 5 minutes), 3 cycles (94° C. for 30 seconds, 45° C. for 30 seconds, 72° C. for 1 minute), 35 cycles (94° C. for 10 seconds, 54° C. for 1.5 minutes, 72° C. for 2 minutes) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 3 minutes). Based on MSP1 sequences in Genbank, the predicted amplicon size generated by the As primers ranges from 326 base pairs to 536 base pairs depending on the Plasmodium species.

The second round PCR's were performed in a final volume of 20 μl containing 1×SYBR Green I Master (Roche, Indianapolis, Ind.), 1.0 μM each of the two primers PmMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:11) and PmMSP1-R1 (SEQ ID NO:12) and 1 μl of the first round PCR (see above). Thermal cycling conditions for amplification were as follows: 1 cycle (95° C. for 5 minutes), 20 cycles (94° C. for 1 minute, 55° C. for 1.5 minutes, 72° C. for 2 minutes) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 3 minutes). Based on MSP1 sequences in Genbank for P. malariae, or the highly related species P. brasilianum, the predicted amplicon size generated by the PmMSP1 primers is either 237 base pairs or 261 base pairs depending on the presence or absence of a 24 base pair insert sequence.

A portion (5 μl) of each first round and each second round PCR was electrophoresed on a 1.0% agarose TAE ethidium bromide gel to screen for the presence of amplicons. One of the P. malariae samples (#0014) resulted in an amplicon of the predicted size after the first round of PCR. After the second round of PCR, all three P. malaria samples contained an amplicon of the correct size. The amplicons from the remaining volume (14 μl) of the three second round PCR's were electrophoresed and then excised from an agarose gel, and the DNA was extracted from the agarose using the QIAEX II Agarose Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert.

DNA sequences of the three gel-purified amplicons were obtained, using PmMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:11) and PmMSP1-R1 (SEQ ID NO:12) as primers, and compared to sequences in the Genbank database by blast analysis. All three were highly homologous (>98%) to P. malariae and P. brasilianum DNA sequences located at the 5′-end of the MSP1 gene, confirming the presence of P. malariae DNA in these three samples.

3′-Region of PmMSP1

This section describes the approach used to obtain sequence from near the 3′-end of the P. malariae MSP1 gene. Nucleotide sequences near the 3′-end of the MSP1 open reading frame were collected from the Genbank database for all available Plasmodium species (14 species total). P. malariae sequence is not available from this region. The sequences were aligned and degenerate reverse primers, targeting the most conserved region, were designed. These primers, MSP1-R1 (SEQ ID NO:13) and MSP1-R2 (SEQ ID NO:14) were used in conjunction with the P. malariae-specific forward primers PmMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:11) and PmMSP1-F2 (SEQ ID NO:15) to PCR amplify the near full-length P. malariae MSP1 gene.

The PCR's were performed in a final volume of 20 μl containing 1×LA PCR Buffer II (Mg²⁺ plus), 0.4 mM each dNTP, 1 unit LA Taq HS per PCR (Takara, Otsu, Shiga, Japan), DNA extracted from the equivalent of 1 μl of whole blood (see Example 1) from the P. malariae infected sample #0014 and 1.0 μM each of the forward primer [PmMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:11) or PmMSP1-F2 (SEQ ID NO:15)] and the reverse primer [MSP1-R1 (SEQ ID NO:13) or MSP1-R2 (SEQ ID NO:14)]. PCR's containing all four possible combinations of forward and reverse primers were performed. Thermal cycling conditions for amplification were as follows: 1 cycle (94° C. for 1 minute), 3 cycles (94° C. for 30 seconds, 45° C. for 1 minute, 72° C. for 5 minutes), 35 cycles (94° C. for 30 seconds, 54° C. for 1.5 minutes, 72° C. for 5 minutes) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 5 minutes). Based on MSP1 sequences in Genbank, the predicted amplicon size is about 5000 base pairs.

A portion (5 μl) of each PCR was electrophoresed on a 0.8% agarose TAE ethidium bromide gel to screen for the presence of amplicons. Two of the primer combinations (i.e. PmMSP1-F1/MSP1-R2 and PmMSP1-F2/MSP1-R2) generated a minor amplicon of the predicted size. The 5000 base pair amplicon from the remaining volume (14 μl) of the PmMSP1-F1/MSP1-R2 PCR was electrophoresed and then excised from an agarose gel, and the DNA was extracted from the agarose using the QIAEX II Agarose Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert.

Sequence from one end of the purified 5000 base pair amplicon was obtained using MSP1-R2 (SEQ ID NO:14) as a primer. The sequence contained a single long open reading frame, and the deduced amino acid sequence was compared to those in the Genbank database by BLAST analysis. Highly significant matches were obtained to amino acid sequences from the C-terminal region of MSP1 from multiple Plasmodium species, none of which exhibited more than 50% identity to the deduced amino acid sequence of sample #0014. This indicates it was derived from a Plasmodium species for which this region of the MSP1 sequence had not been previously determined.

3′-terminus of PmMSP1

Remaining sequence at the 3′-end of the PmMSP1 gene, extending through the stop codon, was obtained by performing a PCR walking experiment. DNA extracted from the P. malariae infected sample #0014 (26 μl equivalents of whole blood) was digested in a 30 μl reaction for 1 hr. at 37° C. in the presence of 50 units of the restriction enzyme DpnII and 1×DpnII Buffer (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.). The digestion products were purified using the QBiogene Geneclean Spin Kit (MP Biochemcials, Solon, Ohio) according to the package insert.

All of the DpnII digested DNA was added to a ligation reaction mix (30 μl) containing 1×T4 DNA Ligase Buffer (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.) and 15 μM each of adaptor oligonucleotides S-Bam24 (SEQ ID NO:16) and S-Bam12 (SEQ ID NO:17). The ligation reaction mix was heated to 50° C. and then cooled to 10° C. over a one hour period to anneal the S-Bam24/12 adaptor to the DpnII cut ends and then placed on ice. T4 DNA Ligase (400 units/μl) (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.) was added to the annealed ligation mix and the reaction incubated overnight at 16° C. The ligation products were purified using the QBiogene Geneclean Spin Kit (MP Biochemcials, Solon, Ohio) according to the package insert, and subsequently heat denatured.

The walking PCR was performed in a final volume of 20 μl containing 1×SYBR Green I Master (Roche, Indianapolis, Ind.), 0.2 μM each of the two primers S-Bam24 (SEQ ID NO:16) and PmMSP1-F3 (SEQ ID NO:18) and 1 μl denatured DNA extracted from of the ligation reaction described above. Thermal cycling conditions for amplification were as follows: 1 cycle (95° C. for 4.5 minutes), 40 cycles (94 ° C. for 30 seconds, 55° C. for 30 seconds, 72° C. for 1 minute) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 4 minutes).

The walking PCR (20 ml) was electrophoresed on a 1.0% agarose TAE ethidium bromide gel to screen for the presence of amplicons. A 500 bp amplicon was excised from the agarose gel, and the DNA was extracted from the agarose using the QBiogene Geneclean Kit (MP Biochemcials, Solon, Ohio) according to the package insert, and subsequently heat denatured.

The walking PCR was performed in a final volume of 20 μl containing 1×SYBR Green I Master (Roche, Indianapolis, Ind.), 0.2 μM each of the two primers S-Bam24 (SEQ ID NO:16) and PmMSP1-F3 (SEQ ID NO:18) and 1 μl denatured DNA extracted from of the ligation reaction described above. Thermal cycling conditions for amplification were as follows: 1 cycle (95° C. for 4.5 minutes), 40 cycles (94° C. for 30 seconds, 55° C. for 30 seconds, 72° C. for 1 minute) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 4 minutes)

The walking PCR (20 μl) was electrophoresed on a 1.0% agarose TAE ethidium bromide gel to screen for the presence of amplicons. A 500 bp amplicon was excised from the agarose gel, and the DNA was extracted from the agarose using the QBiogene Geneclean Kit (MP Biochemcials, Solon, Ohio) according to the package insert.

Sequence from the purified 500 base pair amplicon was obtained using S-Bam24 (SEQ ID NO:16) and PmMSP1-F3 (SEQ ID NO:18) as primers. The sequence overlapped with that from the previously determined 3′-region of PmMSP1 (described above), and contained an open reading frame that ended with a stop codon. The deduced amino acid sequence was compared to those in the Genbank database by BLAST analysis. Highly significant matches were obtained to amino acid sequences from the C-terminus of MSP1 from multiple Plasmodium species, indicating that the complete PmMSP1 C-terminal sequence had been obtained.

5′-terminus of PmMSP1

Remaining sequence at the 5′-end of the PmMSP1 gene, extending through the start codon, was obtained by performing an inverse PCR walking experiment. DNA extracted from the equivalent of 20 μl of whole blood (see Example 1) from the P. malariae infected sample #0014 was digested in a 100 μl reaction for 1 hr. at 37° C. in the presence of 20 units of the restriction enzyme ApoI and 1×ApoI Buffer (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.). The digestion products were purified using the QIAquick PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert.

All of the purified ApoI digested DNA was added to a self-ligation reaction mix (500 μl) containing 1×T4 DNA Ligase Buffer and 2000 units T4 DNA Ligase (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.). The ligation reaction mix was incubated overnight at 14° C., and the ligation products were purified using the QIAquick PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert.

The inverse PCR was performed in a final volume of 20 μl containing 1×SYBR Green I Master (Roche, Indianapolis, Ind.), 0.5 μM each of the two primers PmMSP1-F7 (SEQ ID NO:19) and PmMSP1-R8 (SEQ ID NO:20) and 2 μl (˜7%) of the purified self-ligation reaction described above. Thermal cycling conditions for amplification were as follows: 1 cycle (95° C. for 4.5 minutes), 40 cycles (94° C. for 30 seconds, 55° C. for 30 seconds, 72° C. for 1 minute) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 4 minutes)

The inverse PCR (15 μl) was electrophoresed on a 0.8% agarose TAE ethidium bromide gel to screen for the presence of amplicons. A 250 bp amplicon was excised from the agarose gel, and the DNA was extracted from the agarose using the QBiogene Geneclean Kit (MP Biochemcials, Solon, Ohio) according to the package insert.

Sequence from the purified 250 base pair amplicon was obtained using PmMSP1-F7 (SEQ ID NO:19) and PmMSP1-R8 (SEQ ID NO:20) as primers. The sequence overlapped with that from the previously determined 5′-end region of PmMSP1 (described above), and contained an open reading frame that began with a start codon. The deduced amino acid sequence was compared to those in the Genbank database by blast analysis. Highly significant matches were obtained to amino acid sequences from the N-terminus of MSP1 from multiple Plasmodium species, indicating that the complete PmMSP1 N-terminal sequence had been determined.

Full-Length PmMSP1

This section describes the approach used to obtain the remaining sequence of the P. malariae MSP1 gene. Based on sequences obtained from the 3′-end of the PmMSP1 gene (see above), two new P. malariae-specific reverse primers were designed. These primers, PmMSP1-R2 (SEQ ID NO:21) and PmMSP1-R3 (SEQ ID NO:22) were used in conjunction with the P. malariae-specific forward primers PmMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:11) and PmMSP1-F2 (SEQ ID NO:15) to perform a nested PCR amplification specific for the near full-length P. malariae MSP1 gene.

The first round PCR's were performed in a final volume of 20 μl containing 1×LA PCR Buffer II (Mg plus), 0.4 mM each dNTP, 1 unit LA Taq HS per PCR (Takara, Otsu, Shiga, Japan), DNA extracted from the equivalent of 1 μl of whole blood (see Example 1) from the P. malariae infected sample #0014 and 0.5 μM each of the forward primer [PmMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:11) or PmMSP1-F2 (SEQ ID NO:15)] and the reverse primer [PmMSP1-R2 (SEQ ID NO:21) or PmMSP1-R3 (SEQ ID NO:22)]. PCR's containing all four possible combinations of forward and reverse primers were performed. Thermal cycling conditions for amplification were as follows: 1 cycle (94° C. for 1 minute), 35 cycles (94° C. for 30 seconds, 55° C. for 30 seconds, 72° C. for 5 minutes) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 5 minutes).

The second round PCR's were performed as described for the first round except that only fully-nested or hemi-nested primer combinations were used, and that the template was 1 μl of the first round PCR.

A portion (5 μl) of all first and second round PCR's was electrophoresed on a 0.8% agarose TAE ethidium bromide gel to screen for the presence of amplicons. No amplicons were observed after the first round of PCR. However, all except one of the second round PCR's generated single band amplicons of the predicted size. The 5000 base pair amplicons from the remaining volume (15 μl) of the second round PCR's were purified using the QIAquick PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert.

The purified 5000 base pair PCR's served as template for several rounds of sequencing using P. malariae-specific forward and reverse sequencing primers targeting the unknown central portion of the PmMSP1 gene. After each round of sequencing, additional P. malariae-specific primers were designed from the newly acquired sequence to use in the next round. This process was continued until sequence was obtained across the remainder of the PmMSP1 gene. The resulting sequence was combined with sequences from the 5′ and 3′-terminii (described above) to generate the complete PmMSP1 gene. Additional P. malariae-specific primers used for sequencing are PmMSP1-F3 (SEQ ID NO:18), PmMSP1-F4 (SEQ ID NO:23), PmMSP1-F5 (SEQ ID NO:24), PmMSP1-R4 (SEQ ID NO:25) and PmMSP1-R5 (SEQ ID NO:26).

Example 3 Amplification and sequencing of the P. ovale MSP1 Gene

5′-region of PoMSP1 (sample 510-10)

This section describes the approach used to obtain sequence from near the 5′-end of the P. ovale MSP1 gene. Degenerate primers As1 (SEQ ID NO:9) and As2 (SEQ ID NO:10) designed to amplify an approximately 387 base pair region of the 5′-end of the MSP1 gene from multiple Plasmodium species were described in Example 2.

A first round of amplification using the degenerate As primers was performed on two of the extracted samples (#283-4 and #510-10) previously identified as containing P. ovale DNA (see Example 1) as follows. PCR's were performed in a final volume of 20 μl containing 1×SYBR Green I Master (Roche, Indianapolis, Ind.), 1.0 μM each of the two primers As1 (SEQ ID NO:9) and As2 (SEQ ID NO:10) and DNA extracted from the equivalent of 1 μl of whole blood (see Example 1). Thermal cycling conditions for amplification were as follows: 1 cycle (95° C. for 5 minutes), 3 cycles (94° C. for 30 seconds, 45° C. for 30 seconds, 72° C. for 1 minute), 35 cycles (94° C. for 10 seconds, 54° C. for 1.5 minutes, 72° C. for 2 minutes) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 3 minutes). Based on MSP1 sequences in Genbank, the predicted amplicon size generated by the As primers ranges from 326 base pairs to 536 base pairs depending on the Plasmodium species.

A portion (5 μl) of each PCR was electrophoresed on a 1.0% agarose TAE ethidium bromide gel to screen for the presence of amplicons. Both of the P. ovale PCR's generated a very faint amplicon (˜420 bp) within the predicted size range. This amplicon was gel purified for the 510-10 sample and re-amplified as described above except that thermal cycling conditions for amplification were as follows: 1 cycle (95° C. for 5 minutes), 20 cycles (94° C. for 1 minute, 55° C. for 1.5 minutes, 72° C. for 2 minutes) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 3 minutes). The re-amplified PCR product was purified using the QIAquick PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert.

DNA sequence of the re-amplified amplicon was obtained using As1 (SEQ ID NO:9) and As2 (SEQ ID NO:10) as primers. The sequence contained a single long open reading frame, and the deduced amino acid sequence was compared to those in the Genbank database by BLAST analysis. Highly significant matches were obtained to amino acid sequences from the N-terminal region of MSP1 from multiple Plasmodium species, none of which exhibited more than 45% identity to the deduced amino acid sequence. This indicates it was derived from a Plasmodium species for which this region of the MSP1 sequence had not been previously determined.

3′-End PoMSP1

This section describes the approach used to obtain sequence from near the 3′-end of the P. ovale MSP1 gene. A pair of P. ovale-specific primers were designed based on the 5′-PoMSP1 sequence obtained above. The P. ovale-specific forward primers PoMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:27) and PoMSP1-F2 (SEQ ID NO:28) were used in conjunction with the degenerate reverse primers MSP1-R1 (SEQ ID NO:13) and MSP1-R2 (SEQ ID NO:14) from the 3′-end of the MSP1 gene (described in Example 2) to perform nested amplification of the near full-length P. ovale MSP1 gene. Based on MSP1 sequences in Genbank, the predicted amplicon size is about 5000 base pairs.

The first round PCR's were performed in a final volume of 20 μl containing 1×LA PCR Buffer II (Mg plus), 0.4 mM each dNTP, 1 unit LA Taq HS per PCR (Takara, Otsu, Shiga, Japan), DNA extracted from the equivalent of 1 μl of whole blood (see Example 1) from the P. ovale infected sample #510-10 and 1.0 μM each of the forward primer [PoMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:27) or PoMSP1-F2 (SEQ ID NO:28)] and the reverse primer [MSP1-R1 (SEQ ID NO:13) or MSP1-R2 (SEQ ID NO:14)]. PCR's containing all four possible combinations of forward and reverse primers were performed. Thermal cycling conditions for amplification were as follows: 1 cycle (94° C. for 1 minute), 3 cycles (94° C. for 30 seconds, 45° C. for 1 minute, 72° C. for 5 minutes), 35 cycles (94° C. for 30 seconds, 50° C. for 1.5 minutes, 72° C. for 5 minutes) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 5 minutes).

The second round PCR's were performed as described for the first round except that only fully-nested or hemi-nested primer combinations were used, and that the template was 0.2 μl of the first round PCR.

A portion (5 μl) of all first and second round PCR's was electrophoresed on a 0.8% agarose TAE ethidium bromide gel to screen for the presence of amplicons. None of the first round PCR's resulted in amplicons of the predicted size. However, one of the second round PCR's did generate a minor amplicon of about 5000 base pairs. This product resulted from a fully nested second round PCR using the PoMSP1-F2 (SEQ ID NO:28) and the MSP1-R2 (SEQ ID NO:14) primers to amplify the first round PCR performed with the PoMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:27) and the MSP1-R1 (SEQ ID NO:13) primers. The 5000 base pair amplicon from the remaining volume (15 μl) of the fully nested PCR was electrophoresed and then excised from an agarose gel, and the DNA was extracted from the agarose using the QIAEX II Agarose Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert.

Sequence from the 3′-end of the purified 5000 base pair amplicon was obtained using MSP1-R2 (SEQ ID NO:14) as a primer. The sequence contained a single long open reading frame, and the deduced amino acid sequence was compared to those in the Genbank database by blast analysis. Highly significant matches were obtained to amino acid sequences from the C-terminal region of MSP1 from multiple Plasmodium species, none of which exhibited more than 51% identity to the deduced amino acid sequence. This indicates it was derived from a Plasmodium species for which this region of the MSP1 sequence had not been previously determined.

5′-terminus of PoMSP1 (Sample 510-10)

Remaining sequence at the 5′-end of the PoMSP1 gene, extending through the start codon, was obtained by performing an inverse PCR walking experiment. DNA extracted from the equivalent of 20 μl of whole blood (see Example 1) from the P. ovale infected sample #510-10 was digested in a 100 μl reaction for 1 hr. at 37° C. in the presence of 20 units of the restriction enzyme ApoI and 1×ApoI Buffer (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.). The digestion products were purified using the QIAquick PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert.

All of the purified ApoI digested DNA was added to a self-ligation reaction mix (500 μl) containing 1×T4 DNA Ligase Buffer and 2000 units T4 DNA Ligase (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.). The ligation reaction mix was incubated overnight at 14° C., and the ligation products were purified using the QIAquick PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert.

A pair of P. ovale-specific forward primers [PoMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:27) and PoMSP1-F2 (SEQ ID NO:28)] were used in conjunction with the P. ovale-specific reverse primers [PoMSP1-R3 (SEQ ID NO:29) and PoMSP1-R6 (SEQ ID NO:30)] to perform nested inverse PCR at the 5′-end of the P. ovale MSP1 gene.

The first round of inverse PCR was performed in a final volume of 20 μl containing 1×SYBR Green I Master (Roche, Indianapolis, Ind.), 0.5 μM each of the forward primer [PoMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:27)] and the reverse primer [PoMSP1-R3 (SEQ ID NO:29)] and 2 μl (˜7%) of the purified self-ligation reaction described above. Thermal cycling conditions for amplification were as follows: 1 cycle (95° C. for 4.5 minutes), 40 cycles (94° C. for 30 seconds, 55° C. for 30 seconds, 72° C. for 1 minute) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 4 minutes).

The second round PCR (35 cycles) was performed as described for the first round except that a fully-nested primer combination was used [PoMSP1-F2 (SEQ ID NO:28) and PoMSP1-R6 (SEQ ID NO:30)], and that the template was 1.0 μl of the first round PCR.

A portion (15 μl) of the second round inverse PCR was electrophoresed on a 1.0% agarose TAE ethidium bromide gel to screen for the presence of amplicons. A 250 bp amplicon was excised from the agarose gel, and the DNA was extracted from the agarose using the QBiogene Geneclean Kit (MP Biochemcials, Solon, Ohio) according to the package insert.

Sequence from the purified 250 base pair amplicon was obtained using PoMSP1-F2 (SEQ ID NO:28) and PoMSP1-R6 (SEQ ID NO:30) as primers. The sequence overlapped with that from the previously determined 5′-end region of PoMSP1 (described above), and contained an open reading frame that began with a start codon. The deduced amino acid sequence was compared to those in the Genbank database by blast analysis. Highly significant matches were obtained to amino acid sequences from the N-terminus of MSP1 from multiple Plasmodium species, indicating that the complete PoMSP1 N-terminal sequence had been determined.

3′-terminus of PoMSP1 (Sample 510-10)

Remaining sequence at the 3′-end of the PoMSP1 gene, extending through the start codon, was obtained by performing an inverse PCR walking experiment. Digestion, ligation and purification of the template was performed as described for the PoMSP1 5′-terminus inverse PCR experiment (see above).

A P. ovale-specific forward primer [PoMSP1-F8 (SEQ ID NO:31)] was used in conjunction with the P. ovale-specific reverse primers [PoMSP1-R1 (SEQ ID NO:32) and PoMSP1-R2 (SEQ ID NO:33)] to perform hemi-nested inverse PCR at the 3′-end of the P. ovale MSP1 gene.

The first round of inverse PCR was performed in a final volume of 20 μl containing 1×LA PCR Buffer II (Mg²⁺ plus), 0.4 mM each dNTP, 1 unit LA Taq HS (Takara, Otsu, Shiga, Japan), 0.5 μM each of the forward primer [PoMSP1-F8 (SEQ ID NO:31)] and the reverse primer [PoMSP1-R1 (SEQ ID NO:32)] and 2 μl (˜7%) of the purified self-ligation reaction described above. Thermal cycling conditions for amplification were as follows: 1 cycle (95° C. for 1.0 minutes), 40 cycles (94° C. for 30 seconds, 55° C. for 30 seconds, 72° C. for 5 minute) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 5 minutes).

The second round PCR (35 cycles) was performed as described for the first round except that a hemi-nested primer combination was used [PoMSP1-F8 (SEQ ID NO:31) and PoMSP1-R2 (SEQ ID NO:33)], and that the template was 1.0 μl of the first round PCR.

A portion (15 μl) of the second round inverse PCR was electrophoresed on a 1.0% agarose TAE ethidium bromide gel to screen for the presence of amplicons. A 800 base pair amplicon was excised from the agarose gel, and the DNA was extracted from the agarose using the QBiogene Geneclean Kit (MP Biochemcials, Solon, Ohio) according to the package insert.

The purified 800 base pair product was cloned into the pGEM-T Easy vector (Promega, Madison, Wis.) according to the package insert, and transformants containing the cloned amplicon were obtained in XL10-Gold Untracompetent cells (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) according to the package insert.

Sequence from the cloned 800 base pair amplicon was obtained using vector primers pGEM T7 and pGEM SP6 (Promega, Wis.). The sequence overlapped with that from the previously determined 3′-end region of PoMSP1 (described above), and contained an open reading frame that ended with a stop codon. The deduced amino acid sequence was compared to those in the Genbank database by blast analysis. Highly significant matches were obtained to amino acid sequences from the C-terminus of MSP1 from multiple Plasmodium species, indicating that the complete PoMSP1 C-terminal sequence had been determined.

Full-Length PoMSP1 (Sample 510-10)

This section describes the approach used to obtain the remaining sequence of the P. ovale MSP1 gene. Based on sequences obtained from the 3′-end of the PoMSP1 gene (see above), two new P. ovale-specific reverse primers were designed. These primers, PoMSP1-R1 (SEQ ID NO:32) and PoMSP1-R2 (SEQ ID NO:33) were used in conjunction with the P. ovale-specific forward primers PoMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:27) and PoMSP1-F2 (SEQ ID NO:28) to perform a PCR amplification specific for the near full-length PoMSP1 gene.

The PCR's were performed in a final volume of 20 μl containing 1×LA PCR Buffer II (Mg²⁺ plus), 0.4 mM each dNTP, 1 unit LA Taq HS per PCR (Takara, Otsu, Shiga, Japan), DNA extracted from the equivalent of 1 μl of whole blood (see Example 1) from the P. ovale infected sample #510-10 and 0.5 μM each of the forward primer [PoMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:27) or PoMSP1-F2 (SEQ ID NO:28)] and the reverse primer [PoMSP1-R1 (SEQ ID NO:32) or PoMSP1-R2 (SEQ ID NO:33)]. PCR's containing all four possible combinations of forward and reverse primers were performed. Thermal cycling conditions for amplification were as follows: 1 cycle (94° C. for 1 minute), 35 cycles (94° C. for 30 seconds, 55° C. for 30 seconds, 72° C. for 5 minutes) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 5 minutes).

A portion (15 μl) of all PCR's was electrophoresed on a 1.0% agarose TAE ethidium bromide gel to screen for the presence of amplicons. All PCR's generated single band amplicons of the predicted size. The 5000 base pair amplicons were then excised from the agarose gel, and the DNA was extracted from the agarose using the QIAEX II Agarose Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert.

The gel purified 5000 base pair amplicons served as template for several rounds of sequencing using P. ovale-specific forward and reverse sequencing primers targeting the unknown central portion of the PoMSP1 gene. After each round of sequencing, additional P. ovale-specific primers were designed from the newly acquired sequence to use in the next round. This process was continued until sequence was obtained across the remainder of the PoMSP1 gene. The resulting sequence was combined with sequences from the 5′ and 3′-terminii (described above) to generate the complete PoMSP1 gene. Additional P. ovale-specific primers used for sequencing are PoMSP1-F3 (SEQ ID NO:34), PoMSP1-F4 (SEQ ID NO:35), PoMSP1-F5 (SEQ ID NO:36), PoMSP1-F6 (SEQ ID NO:37), PoMSP1-F7 (SEQ ID NO:38), PoMSP1-R4 (SEQ ID NO:39) and PoMSP1-R5 (SEQ ID NO:40).

Example 4 Design, Cloning and Expression of the MSP1p19 Gene

MSP1-p19 Gene Design

This section describes the design of synthetic MSP1-p19 genes, encoding the C-terminal p19 portion of the MSP1 protein, from P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and P. ovale, which are optimized for expression in E. coli. Gene Designer software from DNA 2.0, Inc. (Menlo Park, Calif.) was used to design the gene sequences discussed below. The encoded p19 proteins for P. falciparum and P. vivax constructs are identical to Genbank accession numbers P19598 and AAN86211 respectively, while the encoded p19 proteins for P. malariae and P. ovale constructs are derived from the deduced sequences presented in this patent. Nucleotide sequences for the optimized P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and P. ovale MSP1-p19 genes are presented in SEQ ID NO's: 41, 42, 43 and 44 respectively, and the encoded amino acid sequences for the P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and P. ovale MSP1-p19 proteins are presented in SEQ ID NO's: 45, 46, 47 and 48, respectively. Each gene contains a 5′-EcoRI site followed by a start codon, the body of the gene encoding the p19 amino acid sequence, a sequence encoding a 6-histidine tag, a stop codon and a BamHI site. The restriction enzyme sites were used for cloning into expression vectors and the 6-histidine tag was included to facilitate subsequent purification of the expressed protein. The C-terminal nine amino acid residues encoded at the end of the MSP1-p19 portion of the P. malariae and P. ovale constructs, prior to the 6-histidine tag, were designed to match the consensus sequence derived from alignment of this highly conserved segment of MSP1-p19 from 14 other Plasmodium species. The P. malariae and P. ovale proteins encoded by the designed sequences (SEQ ID NOs: 47 and 48, respectively) within this nine amino acid stretch differ at a single position vs. the deduced sequences from the native P. malariae and P. ovale genes (SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 3, respectively), both of which encode Gly (native) instead of Ser (designed) immediately following the last Cys residue.

Preparation of Synthetic MSP1-p19 Genes from P. falciparum and P. vivax

Oligonucleotides encoding adjacent portions of the MSP1-p19 protein from either P. falciparum or P. vivax, and containing complementary overlapping ends, were assembled and the resulting assembled products further modified in a two step PCR process. In the first PCR modification step, the 5′-cloning site (EcoRI) and a sequence coding a portion of the C-terminal histidine tag were introduced at the 5′ and 3′-ends respectively of the assembled genes. In the second PCR modification step, the remainder of the histidine tag encoding sequence was incorporated followed by a stop codon and the 3′-cloning site (BamHI).

The assembly reactions (25 μl) contained 1×Amplitaq Gold Buffer, 2 mM MgCl₂, 1.25 units Amplitaq Gold DNA polymerase (Roche, Branchburg, N.J.), 0.25 mM each dNTP (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.) and 0.4 μM of each of the four oligonucleotides (Oligos Etc., Inc., Wilsonville, Oreg.) used to form the gene for P. falciparum [MSP1 (SEQ ID NO:49), MSP2 (SEQ ID NO:50), MSP3 (SEQ ID NO:51) and MSP4 (SEQ ID NO:52)] or for P. vivax [MSP5 (SEQ ID NO:53), MSP6 (SEQ ID NO:54), MSP7 (SEQ ID NO:55) and MSP8 (SEQ ID NO:56)]. Thermal cycling conditions for assembly were as follows: 1 cycle (95° C. for 9 minutes), 10 cycles (94° C. for 20 seconds, 50° C. for 30 seconds, 72° C. for 30 seconds) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 5 minutes).

The first PCR modification mix (50 μl) contained 1×Amplitaq Gold Buffer, 2 mM MgCl₂, 5 units Amplitaq Gold DNA polymerase (Branchburg, N.J.), 0.25 mM each dNTP (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.), 5 μl (20%) of the assembly reaction (see above) and 0.5 μM of each PCR primer (Oligos Etc., Inc., Wilsonville, Oreg.) [P. falciparum=fMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:57) and fMSP1-R1 (SEQ ID NO:58)] or [P. vivax=vMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:59) and vMSP1-R1 (SEQ ID NO:60)]. Thermal cycling conditions were as follows: 1 cycle (95° C. for 9 minutes), 35 cycles (94° C. for 20 seconds, 50° C. for 30 seconds, 72° C. for 30 seconds) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 5 minutes). The PCR's (50 μl) were electrophoresed on a 1.0% agarose gel, and the amplicons were extracted from the agarose using the QIAEX II Agarose Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert.

The second PCR modification mix (25 μl) contained 1×LA Taq PCR Buffer, 2.5 mM MgCl₂, 0.2 mM each dNTP, 1.7 units LA Taq DNA polymerase per PCR (Takara, Otsu, Shiga, Japan), 1.0 μl (5%) of the purified amplicon from the first PCR and 0.5 μM of each PCR primer (Oligos Etc., Inc., Wilsonville, Oreg.) [P. falciparum=fMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:57) and pL-His (SEQ ID NO:61)] or [P. vivax=vMSP1-F1 (SEQ ID NO:59) and pL-His (SEQ ID NO:61)]. Thermal cycling conditions were as follows: 1 cycle (94° C. for 2 minutes), 5 cycles (94° C. for 30 seconds, 43° C. for 30 seconds, 72° C. for 2 minutes), 35 cycles (94° C. for 30 seconds, 65° C. for 30 seconds, 72° C. for 2 minutes) and 1 cycle (72° C. for 10 minutes). The PCR's were electrophoresed on a 1.0% agarose gel, and the amplicons were extracted from the agarose using the QIAEX II Agarose Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert. Each purified amplicon was digested in a 100 μl reaction for 45 minutes at 37° C. in the presence of 20 units of the restriction enzyme EcoRI, 20 units of the restriction enzyme BamHI and 1×EcoRI Buffer (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.). The digestion products were purified using the QIAquick PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert.

Preparation of synthetic MSP1-p19 Genes from P. malariae and P. ovale

E. coli cells containing plasmid clones of the P. malariae and P. ovale synthetic MPS1-p19 genes [GenScript Corp. (Piscataway, N.J.)] were grown, and the plasmids purified using the Wizard Plus SV Minipreps DNA Purification Kit (Promega, Madison, Wis.) according to the package insert. Each plasmid was digested in a 200 μl reaction for 1 hr. at 37° C. in the presence of 100 units of the restriction enzyme EcoRI, 100 units of the restriction enzyme BamHI and 1×EcoRI Buffer (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.). The digests were electrophoresed on a 0.8% agarose TAE ethidium bromide gel to separate the insert from the vector. The approximately 350 base pair inserts were then excised from the agarose gel, and the DNA was extracted from the agarose using the QIAEX II Agarose Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert.

Preparation of the CKS-fusion Expression Vector for Cloning

E. coli cells containing the CKS-fusion expression vector pJO200 (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Ill.) was grown, and the plasmid purified using the Wizard Plus SV Minipreps DNA Purification Kit (Promega, Madison, Wis.) according to the package insert. The plasmid (10 μg) was digested in a 1500 μl reaction for 2.5 hrs. at 37° C. in the presence of 200 units of the restriction enzyme EcoRI, 200 units of the restriction enzyme BamHI and 1×EcoRI Buffer (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.). The digests were electrophoresed on a 1.0% agarose TAE ethidium bromide gel to separate the insert from the vector. Linearized vector was then excised from the agarose gel, and the DNA was extracted from the agarose using the QIAEX II Agarose Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) according to the package insert.

Cloning of the MSP1-p19 Inserts into the Expression Vector

A portion (2 μl) of each of the four purified EcoRI/BamHI digested MSP1-p19 inserts (see above) were added to separate ligation reactions (10 μl) containing EcoRI/BamHI digested expression vector pJO200 (˜0.6 μg, see above), 1×T4 DNA Ligase Buffer and 400 units T4 DNA Ligase (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.). The ligation reactions were incubated overnight at either 4° C. or 16° C. then transformed into E. coli XL1-Blue competent cells (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) according to the package insert. Plasmids were purified from the XL1-Blue clones as described above and transformed into competent cells of the protease deficient E. coli strain BL21 (Novagen, Madison, Wis.) according to the package insert.

Expression and Purification of MSP1-p19 Recombinant Proteins

BL21 cells containing each of the four MSP1-p19 expression plasmids (see above) were grown in separate 100 ml cultures at 37° C. until an OD595 of approximately 0.5 was reached, at which time IPTG was added to a final concentration of 1 mM to induce expression. After 3 hours of induction at 37° C., the cells were harvested by centrifugation and the pelleted cells were lysed with BugBuster Extraction Reagent (Novagen, Madison, Wis.) according to the package insert. The expressed MSP1-p19 present in the soluble fraction of each lysate, was purified using a His·Bind Purification Kit (Novagen, Madison, Wis.) according to the package insert. The purified recombinant proteins were dialyzed into 0.01 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 containing 0.15 M NaCl (PBS) prior to quantitation.

Example 5 Phylogenetic Analysis of MSP1 Sequences

Related organisms generally have a high degree of agreement in the molecular structure of DNA, RNA and proteins, while the molecules of organisms distantly related usually show a pattern of dissimilarity. Molecular phylogeny uses sequence data to build a “relationship tree” that shows the probable evolution of various organisms based upon the degree of dissimilarity between sequences. Evolutionary relationships among plasmodium species have been examined using sequences of genes that encode proteins (e.g. cytochrome b or circumsporozoite protein) or RNA molecules (i.e. small subunit ribosomal RNA, a.k.a. ssRNA or 18S RNA). Some of these genes (cytochrome b and ssRNA) are house-keeping genes that are highly conserved not only within the phylum Apicomplexa, wherein the genus Plasmodium is classified, but also in multicellular organisms. Such genes accumulate mutations slowly and thus ancient relationships have not been obscured by random mutation events, as can occur in genes that are less essential or are under intense immune selection pressure. The cytochrome b and ssRNA gene sequences from P. ovale and P. malariae have been used to examine their evolutionary relationship to primate, rodent and avian plasmodium species (Perkins and Schall, 2002, J. Parsitol. 88:972-978; Escalante AND Ayala, 1995, PNAS 91:11373-11377; Leclerc et al., 2004, Parasitology 129:677-684). Based on these published analyses, while their evolutionary origins are still a matter of debate, P. ovale and P. malariae have been shown to be unique Plasmodium parasites of humans.

The MSP1 protein sequences of P. ovale and P. malariae were compared with all available orthologous genes from other primate, human and bird plasmodium parasites to determine their degree of relatedness. Full-length MSP1 amino acid sequences for P. malariae (SEQ ID NO:1) and P. ovale (SEQ ID NO:3) were aligned with 14 other full-length MSP1 protein sequences available in GenBank (see Table 1). Alignments were produced using CLUSTALW software (Thompson et al., 1994, Nucl. Acids Res. 22:4673-4680). Phylogenetic trees were produced using MEGA4 software (Tamura et al., 2007, Mol. Biol Evol. 24:1596-1599) under three different evolutionary models.

The models are in basic agreement in that all rodent and primate (monkey) sequences form subgroups with significant bootstrap support (i.e. >70%). P. ovale and P. malariae are not subsumed by any of the rodent or primate sequence groups, nor are they grouped together by any of the models. The P. ovale and P. malariae MSP1 sequences occupy branches at the center of the tree indicating that they are sufficiently divergent from all other sequences (and each other) as to occupy individual branches on the tree.

TABLE 1 MSP1 sequences of plasmodium species from GenBank Species Host Accession No. P. berghei Rodent AAF13063.1 P. chabaudi Rodent (Thamnonys rutilans) AAA29499.1 P. coatneyi Primate (Macaca fascicularis) BAF74048.1 P. cynomolgi Primate BAF74063.1 P. falciparum Human BAF62278.1 P. fragile Primate (Macaca sinica) BAF74049.1 P. gallinaceum Bird (Gallus gallus) CAH10838.1 P. hylobati Primate (gibbon) BAF74050.1 P. inui Primate (Cynopithecus niger) BAF74051.1 P. knowlesi Primate (Macaca fascicularis) BAF74052.1 P. reichenowi Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) CAH10285.1 P. simiovale Primate (Macaca sinica) BAF74053.1 P. vivax Human AAA63427.1 P. yoelii Rodent (Thamnonys rutilans) EAA17822.1

Example 6 Preparation of Microparticles

Microparticles were coated with recombinant antigens cloned from the MSP1 regions of Plasmodium.

Microparticles for Antibody Assay:

The following recombinant proteins were used to coat the microparticles for antibody assay.

A. Preparation of Recombinant Proteins:

See Example 4 above.

-   i. P. ovale MSP1-19. -   ii. P. malariae MSP1-19. -   iii. P. falciparum MSP1-19. -   iv. P. vivax MSP1-19.     A1. Preparation of R-antigen Coated Microparticles

i. Preparation of Single Antigen Coated Particles

Microparticles coated with one of the recombinant MSP1-19 proteins were prepared in the following manner. Briefly, a 250 μl aliquot of microparticles (4% weight/volume, 3.2 micron diameter (Interfacial Dynamics Corp., Portland, Oreg.) was mixed with 1.25 ml of a coating buffer (2-(N-Morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES) buffer, pH 6.0) and pelleted in a microfuge for 2 minutes at 14,000×g. The particles were resuspended in 0.5 ml of the MES coating buffer, and 100 μg of one of the recombinant proteins was added. (In this example, P. ovale MSP1-19 solution: 350 μl for a final concentration of 0.12 mg/ml; P. malariae MSP1-19 solution: 200 μl for a final concentration of 0.14 mg/ml; P. vivax MSP1-19 solution: 15.3 μl for a final concentration of 0.19 mg/ml; or P. falciparum MSP1-19 solution: 10 μl for a final concentration of 0.20 mg/ml.) The microparticle/protein solution was mixed and tumbled for 16 hours at room temperature. The microparticles were pelleted at 14,000×g for 2 minutes, and the solution was removed. The particles were resuspended in 1 ml phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.2) (PBS) and repelleted. The particles were washed with PBS twice more, then resuspended in 1 ml Microparticle Diluent (phosphate buffered saline (pH 6.5) with 11.5% sucrose). The microparticle concentration was determined by absorbance at 700 nm compared to a standard curve prepared from known concentrations of microparticles. The microparticle solution was diluted to a final concentration of 0.05% in Microparticle Diluent.

ii. Preparation of Mixed Antigen Coated Particles

Microparticles coated with a mixture of the recombinant MSP1-19 proteins were prepared in the following manner. Briefly, a 250 μl aliquot of microparticles (4% weight/volume, 3.2 micron diameter (Interfacial Dynamics Corp., Portland, Oreg.) was mixed with 1.25 ml of a coating buffer (MES buffer, pH 6.0) and pelleted in a microfuge for 2 minutes at 14,000×g. The particles were resuspended in 0.5 ml of the MES coating buffer and 25 μg of each of the recombinant proteins was added (P. ovale MSP1-19 solution: 87.5 μl; P. malariae MSP1-19 solution: 50 μl; P. vivax MSP1-19 solution: 3.8 up; P. falciparum MSP1-19 solution: 2.5 μl). The microparticle/protein solution was mixed and tumbled for 16 hours at room temperature. The microparticles were pelleted at 14,000×g for 2 minutes and the solution was removed. The particles were resuspended in 1 ml PBS (pH 7.2) and repelleted. The particles were washed with PBS twice more, then resuspended in 1 ml Microparticle Diluent (phosphate buffered saline (pH 6.5) with 11.5% sucrose). The microparticle concentration was determined by absorbance at 700 nm compared to a standard curve prepared from known concentrations of microparticles. The microparticle solution was diluted to a final concentration of 0.05% in Microparticle Diluent.

iii. Blending of Single Antigen Coated Particles

Single antigen coated microparticles were resuspended to a concentration of 0.1% in Microparticle Diluent. An equal volume of each of the four solutions of particles was mixed together to form the blend of single antigen coated particles with a final particle concentration of 0.1%.

Example 7 Preparation of Acridinium-Labeled Conjugates

A. Conjugate for Antibody Assay:

For the antibody assay, mouse anti-human IgG directly labeled with acridinium can be prepared as follows:

(i) Acridinium Labeled Mouse Anti-Human IgG:

53.6 μl of conjugation buffer (CB) containing sodium phosphate, NaCl, 3-(3-chlolamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio-1-propane-sulfonate (CHAPS, Sigma Chemical Company, Saint Louis, Mo.), pH 8.0 and 7.2 μl of N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of 10-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-tosyl-N-(2-carboxyethyl)-9-acridinium carboxamide (4 mg/ml in dimethyl formamide) was added to 131 μl of Mouse anti-Human IgG (4.59 mg/ml) and 601 μl of PBS at room temperature. The reaction mixture was mixed with a rotator for 20 minutes at room temperature. The reaction was quenched by loading the reaction mixture onto the HPLC. This was applied to a 300×7.8 mm Bio-Sil SEC-250 gel filtration column (Bio-Rad, Richmond, Calif.) which had been equilibrated with buffer containing CHAPS, NaCl and sodium phosphate, pH 6.3. The column was eluted at 1.0 ml/min with the same buffer using a Beckman 421A controller equipped with a model 114M pump. Fractions of 1 ml were collected and the absorbance determined at 280 nm and 370 nm with a Beckman DU-7 spectrophotometer. The extent of acridinium incorporation was calculated as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,330. The acridinium to IgG ratio (mole/mole) obtained was approximately 2.5. The conjugate was stored at 4 degrees C.

Example 8 PRISM Anti-Plasmodium Antibody Assay

The PRISM antibody assay is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,330, incorporated herein by reference, and the PRISM antigen and antibody assays are described in Shah and Stewart, The Immunoassay Handbook, second edition, edited by David Wild, p 297-303 (2001), also incorporated herein by reference.

With respect to the present invention, the following procedures were utilized:

Individual Plasmodium species Antibody Assay:

The assay format is provided in FIG. 15. Generally, at station 1, 50 μl of control or sample, 50 μl of specimen diluent buffer (SDB, borate buffer, pH 7.5 containing Tween 20, triton X-100, urea, bovine serum albumin, newborn calf serum, NaCl, E. coli lysate and azide), and 50 μl of individual recombinant antigen coated microparticles [(prepared as described in Example (6) (A1) (i) above] were dispensed into each incubation well and assay timing was started. These were mixed by mutual diffusion of each into the other without external agitation or shaking to form a reaction mixture. At station 4, the reaction mixture was transferred to a detection well that contained a fibrous matrix and washed twice with 300 μl of transfer wash (TW, containing borate buffer, pH 7.0, with NaCl, Tween-20, Glycerol, urea, and Proclin 300). After 18 minutes of incubation at 37 degrees C., 50 μl of acridinium labeled mouse anti-human antibody was dispensed into the matrix of the detection well at station 5. The well was incubated for 23 minutes at 37 degrees C., and the fibrous matrix containing the reaction mixture was washed three times with 100 μl of Final Wash (FW), containing tris buffer, pH 9.0, with LiCl, lithium dodecyl sulfate, polyethylene glycol 1500 and Proclin 300 at station 8. At station 9, a chemiluminescence (CL) signal was generated by addition of an alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution, and the photons were measured by a photo multiplier tube. The amount of light emitted is proportional to the amount of antibody in the sample. The presence or absence of antibody in the sample is determined by comparing the number of photons collected from the sample to a negative (S/N) value. The results are expressed as S/N (signal to negative) in Table 2 below. Samples which have an S/N greater than 5.0 are considered to be reactive for the antigen. The results are compared to results obtained from a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay.

Four species Plasmodium Antibody Assay:

The assay format is provided in FIG. 15. Generally, at station 1, 50 μl of control or sample, 50 μl of SDB, and 50 μl of mixed recombinant antigen coated microparticles [prepared as described in Example (6) (A1) (ii) above] or 50 μl of blended individual recombinant antigen coated microparticles [prepared as described in Example (6) (A1) (iii) above] were dispensed into each incubation well, and assay timing was started. These were mixed by mutual diffusion of each into the other without external agitation or shaking to form a reaction mixture. At station 4, the reaction mixture was transferred to a detection well, which contained a fibrous matrix and washed twice with 300 μl of TW. After 18 minutes of incubation at 37 degrees C., 50 μl of acridinium labeled mouse anti-human antibody was dispensed into the matrix of the detection well at station 5. The well was incubated for 23 minutes at 37 degrees C., and the fibrous matrix containing the reaction mixture was washed three times with 100 μl of FW at station 8. At station 9, a chemiluminescence (CL) signal was generated by addition of an alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution, and the photons were measured by a photo multiplier tube. The amount of light emitted is proportional to the amount of antibody in the sample. The presence or absence of antibody in the sample is determined by comparing the number of photons collected from the sample to a negative (S/N) value. The results are expressed as S/N in Table XII below. Samples which have an S/N greater than 5.0 are considered to be reactive for the antigen. The results are compared to results obtained from a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay (Newmarket Labs., Kentford, UK).

TABLE 2 Detection of P. ovale and P. malariae samples with PoMSP1-19 and PmMSP1-19 Species Commercial Sample determined by Microparticle ELISA test ID blood smear PoMSP1-19 PmMSP1-19 results 01 P. ovale 29.63 1.49 positive 19 P. ovale 40.25 15.12 positive 20 P. ovale 2.28 1.73 negative 21 P. ovale 84.90 31.82 positive 23 P. ovale 80.73 11.57 positive 24 P. ovale 32.92 3.85 positive 25 P. ovale 44.06 0.97 negative 26 P. ovale 31.31 3.78 negative 2 P. malariae 1.29 8.88 negative 15 P. malariae 0.99 20.25 negative

TABLE 3 Detection of P. falciparum and P. vivax samples with PfMSP1-19 and PvMSP1-19 Species Commercial Sample determined by Microparticle ELISA test ID blood smear PvMSP1-19 PfMSP1-19 results 1 P. vivax 7.40 1.63 Positive 2 P. vivax 89.38 1.39 Positive 5 P. vivax 97.07 1.13 Positive 9 P. vivax 90.17 1.17 Positive 10 P. vivax 5.47 1.38 Positive 11 P. vivax 105.07 60.22 Positive 12 P. vivax 28.84 3.31 Positive 14 P. vivax 75.24 54.86 Positive 6 P. falciparum 1.23 133.29 Positive 17 P. falciparum 35.34 7.36 Positive 18 P. falciparum 38.41 3.92 Positive 16 P. falciparum 23.13 65.58 Positive

TABLE 4 Multispecies detection using mixed recombinant coating or blended individual coating microparticles Microparticle Species Mixed Blended Commercial Sample determined by Recombinant Individual ELISA test ID blood smear Coating Coating results 01 P. ovale 15.57 20.41 positive 19 P. ovale 99.31 63.90 positive 20 P. ovale 2.03 1.83 negative 21 P. ovale 78.71 58.97 positive 23 P. ovale 62.03 49.27 positive 24 P. ovale 33.74 34.29 positive 25 P. ovale 16.94 21.19 negative 26 P. ovale 27.44 23.95 negative 1 P. vivax 2.54 3.49 positive 2 P. vivax 59.88 47.38 positive 5 P. vivax 65.85 44.38 positive 9 P. vivax 73.14 45.25 positive 10 P. vivax 2.32 2.43 positive 11 P. vivax 81.37 65.27 positive 12 P. vivax 18.35 19.27 positive 14 P. vivax 78.32 52.69 positive 6 P. falciparum 87.76 54.63 positive 17 P. falciparum 31.40 25.33 positive 18 P. falciparum 37.35 23.50 positive 16 P. falciparum 42.98 27.04 positive 2 P. malariae 3.38 5.70 negative 15 P. malariae 11.41 10.04 negative Samples 25, 26, 2, and 15 were reactive in both the mixed antigen coating and blended individual coating assays, but were negative in the commercial ELISA, demonstrating an improved detection using recombinant antigens representing all four species of Plasmodium.

Example 9 Detection of IgG Antibodies Using P. ovate and P. malariae MSP1-19 Recombinant Antigens

Detection of antibodies in serum or plasma directed against the MSP1-19 protein of P. ovale and P. malariae was performed using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The CKS-MSP1-19 recombinant antigens described in Example 4 were coated onto a solid phase support, and antibodies present in the test samples that bound to the recombinant proteins were detected using a goat anti-human antibody horseradish peroxidase conjugate.

Coating of Polystyrene Beads:

One quarter-inch polystyrene beads were used as the solid phase for the peptide EIAs. Prior to coating, beads were washed with 15% 1-propanol (in water) at room temperature for 20 minutes without agitation. Propanol was removed, and the beads were rinsed twice with deionized water. The washed beads were then added to a vial containing recombinant antigen diluted to 0.25-5 microgram per mL in 0.1 M sodium phosphate, pH 7.0 (0.233 ml per bead). Beads were incubated at 40° C. for 2 hours with gentle mixing. Beads were then washed three times with PBS and then incubated in PBS containing 0.1% Triton X-100 at 40° C. for 1 hour with gentle mixing. They were again washed three times in PBS and then incubated at 40° C. in 5% BSA in PBS for 1 hour with gentle mixing. Beads were washed four times with PBS and then incubated at room temperature in PBS containing 5% sucrose without mixing for 20 minutes. Sucrose buffer was removed and beads air-dried. Coated beads were stored desiccated at 4° C.

Immunoassay Method:

Serum and plasma were tested for their immunoreactivity to CKS-MSP1-19 coated polystyrene beads. Specimens were diluted 1:16 in diluent buffer (Tris-phosphate buffer pH 7.8 comprising 20% goat serum, 10% calf serum, 0.2% Triton X-100 and sodium azide), and 0.010 ml was added to a well of a plastic test tray and then combined with an additional 0.20 mL of the same diluent buffer for a final sample dilution of 1:336. The recombinant protein coated bead was added to the diluted sample and incubated at 37° C. for 90 min with mixing. Beads were then washed with 11-14 mL of deionized water followed by the addition of 0.2 ml of peroxidase-labeled goat anti-human IgG (0.02 microgram per mL). Beads were incubated at 37° C. for 30 min with mixing. Beads were washed with 11-14 mL deionized water and then transferred into plastic tubes to which 0.3 ml of OPD (0.3% O-phenylenediamine-2-HCl in citrate buffer containing 0.02% H₂O₂) substrate was added and incubated in the dark at room temperature for 30 min without mixing. Reactions were quenched by the addition of 1 ml of 1N H₂SO₄ and the optical density (OD) at 492 nm determined. The OD is directly proportional to the amount of antibody bound to the bead. Signal to negative (S/N) ratios are calculated for each test sample by dividing the test sample OD by the mean negative control OD. Specimens with S/N values greater-than or equal-to 5.00 (provisional cutoff value) were assumed to be immunoreactive.

Plasmodium Infected Individuals:

Human serum samples from individuals infected with P. ovale, P. malariae, P. falciparum or P. vivax were obtained from Marianna Wilson, Chief, Reference Immunodiagnostic Laboratory, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga., USA. Immunofluorescent antibody titers for each human infective plasmodium species for each sample was provided, as was the plasmodium species identification determined by blood smear (see Table 5, below). All samples were collected prior to 1990 and are considered “anonymized residual human specimens” since original records regarding the identity of the donor/patient no longer exist.

TABLE 5 CDC IFA Results P. Sample Species P. vivax falciparum P. malariae P. ovale Pv-1 P. vivax 1024 64 <4 16 Pv-2 P. vivax >4096 64 16 64 Pv-5 P. vivax >4096 64 16 256 Pv-9 P. vivax 1024 64 64 256 Pv-10 P. vivax >4096 64 16 64 Pv-11 P. vivax 1024 64 4 256 Pv-12 P. vivax >4096 64 16 16 Pv-14 P. vivax 1024 256 4 16 Pf-6 P. falciparum 64 1024 16 64 Pf-16 P. falciparum 64 256 64 64 Pf-17 P. falciparum 256 256 64 256 Pf-18 P. falciparum 256 1024 64 64 Pm-2 P. malariae 16 64 >4096 64 Pm-15 P. malariae 64 >4096 >4096 64 Po-1 P. ovale <4 256 16 1024 Po-19 P. ovale 256 64 64 1024 Po-20 P. ovale <4 16 <4 256 Po-21 P. ovale 256 64 64 1024 Po-23 P. ovale <4 256 64 1024 Po-24 P. ovale 4 64 4 64 Po-25 P. ovale <4 16 4 256 Po-26 P. ovale 64 64 64 256 Po and Pm MSP1-19 Antibody EIA:

The presence of IgG antibodies against Po-MSP1-19 and Pm-MSP1-19 was determined using the procedure described above in those individuals shown to be infected with P. malariae or P. ovale by IFA and/or blood smear. The S/N ratios obtained are shown in Table 6, below. Specimens were also tested for the presence of anti-Plasmodium antibodies using a commercially available ELISA test (NewMarket Labs., Kentford, UK).

TABLE 6 Antigen Species coated bead Commercial determined by P. malariae P. ovale ELISA test Sample blood smear CKS-MSP1-19 CKS-MSP1-19 results Pm-2 P. malariae 67.42 0.90 Negative Pm-15 P. malariae 7.96 0.55 Negative Po-1 P. ovale 4.31 100.00 Positive Po-19 P. ovale 6.34 43.70 Positive Po-20 P. ovale 0.51 11.50 Negative Po-21 P. ovale 24.84 100.00 Positive Po-23 P. ovale 5.33 100.00 Positive Po-24 P. ovale 1.25 47.80 Positive Po-25 P. ovale 0.78 44.30 Negative Po-26 P. ovale 2.16 69.25 Negative

These data demonstrate that individuals with confirmed P. ovale or P. malariae infections possess detectable species-specific MSP1-19 IgG antibodies. In addition, samples that test negative in the commercial ELISA are antibody positive in at least one of the bead EIAs. The apparent cross-species immunoreactivity observed corresponds in some cases to the immunofluorescent antibody assay results, i.e. many individuals have antibodies against more than one Plasmodium species.

Example 10 Detection of P. ovale and P. malariae MSP1-19 IgG Antibodies in Gene Cloning Source Samples

Human serum samples from West African blood donors were tested for the presence of P. ovale and P. malariae MSP1-19 antibodies using the assay described in Example 9. West Africa is endemic for malaria including P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale, and to a lesser extent, P. vivax. Whole blood samples were also available from the same donors for DNA extraction and subsequent testing using a PCR assay for the detection of ribosomal DNA gene sequences (see Example 1) which allowed identification of the plasmodium species present at the time the donation was obtained. DNA extracted from the blood of Donor 0014 was used as the cloning source for P. malariae MSP1 gene. DNA extracted from the blood of Donor 510-10 was used as the cloning source for the P. ovale MSP1 gene. The MSP1-P19 fragments of these genes were cloned and expressed as CKS fusions in E. coli (Example 4), coated onto beads and used for antibody detection as described in Example 9.

The results shown in Table 7 below (S/N values) demonstrate that IgG antibodies against P. malariae MSPL-19 are present in serum from Donor 0014, the cloning source for the P. malariae MSP1 gene. Similarly, IgG antibodies against P. ovale MSP1 are present in the serum from Donor 510-10, the cloning source for the P. ovale MSP1 gene. Serum from two additional blood donors shown to be actively infected with P. malariae also exhibit IgG immunoreactivity to the type-homologous antigen. Serum from two of three other blood donors shown to be infected with P. ovale exhibit immunoreactivity to the type-homologous antigen.

These data indicate that serum from individuals with demonstrated P. malariae parasitemia harbor antibodies directed against the P. malariae MSP1-19 antigen. Similarly, serum from individuals with demonstrated P. ovale parasitemia harbor antibodies against the P. ovale MSP1-19 antigen.

TABLE 7 Species P. malariae P. ovale identified by MSP1-19 MSP1-19 Sample ID rDNA PCR Bead EIA, S/N Bead EIA, S/N 0014 Pm, Pf 55.94 3.82 609-39 Pm, Pf 55.94 4.79 240-16 Pm, Pf 46.13 6.07 510-10 Po 55.94 87.91 283-4  Po 24.98 76.18 1045-36  Po, Pf 27.50 3.30 684-22 Po, Pf 55.94 35.96

Example 11 Detection of P. falciparum and P. vivax MSP1-19 IgG Antibodies

Detection of P. vivax, and P. falciparum MSP1-19 antibodies was performed using individual EIAs.

Recombinant MSP1-19 CKS fusion antigens from each plasmodium species (see Example 4) were coated onto polystyrene beads as described in Example 9. IgG antibodies were measured in the serum of individuals shown to be infected with P. vivax or P. falciparum using the indirect EIA method described in Example 9. Signal to negative (S/N) ratios are shown in Table 8. Specimens were also tested for the presence of anti-plasmodium antibodies using a commercially available ELISA test (NewMarket Labs., Kentford, UK).

TABLE 8 Antigen coated Species bead Commercial determined by P. falciparum P. vivax ELISA test Sample Blood Smear CKS-MSP1-19 CKS-MSP1-19 results Pv-1 P. vivax 1.27 62.12 Positive Pv-2 P. vivax 1.34 67.42 Positive Pv-5 P. vivax 1.34 67.42 Positive Pv-9 P. vivax 0.61 67.42 Positive Pv-10 P. vivax 1.70 49.52 Positive Pv-11 P. vivax 10.63 67.42 Positive Pv-12 P. vivax 0.54 40.96 Positive Pv-14 P. vivax 11.39 67.42 Positive Pf-6 P. falciparum 72.29 0.98 Positive Pf-16 P. falciparum 7.81 2.93 Positive Pf-17 P. falciparum 1.77 14.63 Positive Pf-18 P. falciparum 1.01 8.19 Positive

These results demonstrate the ability of the MSP1-19 fusion proteins to detect antibodies in individuals infected with type-homologous plasmodium species. Apparent cross-species immunoreactivity observed corresponds in some cases to the immunofluorescent antibody assay results, i.e., many individuals have antibodies against more than one species of plasmodium.

Example 12 Multispecies EIA

Detection of IgG antibodies against P. ovale, P. malariae, P. vivax or P. falciparum, using a single assay, was accomplished by simultaneous coating of polystyrene beads with purified CKS-MSP1-19 recombinant antigens from each of the four species. Beads were coated simultaneously with recombinant antigens (see Example 4 for cloning & expression pf Pf/Pv and Po/Pm MSP1-19 rAgs, respectively) at 0.5 microgram per mL as described in Example 9, except that the coating buffer used 50 mM MES pH 6.3. Immunoreactivity of human sera from individuals with diagnosed plasmodium infections representing each of the four species was determined using the EIA method described in Example 9. S/N ratios are shown Table 9. Specimens were also tested for the presence of anti-plasmodium antibodies using a commercially available ELISA test (NewMarket Labs, Kentford, UK).

TABLE 9 Species Pf/Pv/Po/Pm Commercial determined by MSP1-19 co- ELISA test Sample blood smear coated bead results Pv-1 P. vivax 58.35 Positive Pv-2 P. vivax 65.93 Positive Pv-5 P. vivax 65.93 Positive Pv-9 P. vivax 65.93 Positive Pv-10 P. vivax 47.27 Positive Pv-11 P. vivax 65.93 Positive Pv-12 P. vivax 37.62 Positive Pv-14 P. vivax 65.93 Positive Pf-6 P. falciparum 65.93 Positive Pf-16 P. falciparum 8.51 Positive Pf-17 P. falciparum 20.27 Positive Pf-18 P. falciparum 12.76 Positive Pm-2 P. malariae 65.93 Negative Pm-15 P. malariae 5.11 Negative Po-1 P. ovale 65.93 Positive Po-19 P. ovale 65.93 Positive Po-20 P. ovale 2.64 Negative Po-21 P. ovale 65.93 Positive Po-23 P. ovale 65.93 Positive Po-24 P. ovale 55.35 Positive Po-25 P. ovale 23.47 Negative Po-26 P. ovale 32.37 Negative

These data demonstrate the ability of P. ovale, P. malariae, P. vivax and P. falciparum CKS-MSP1-19 antigens to be coated simultaneously onto a solid support and retain their ability to detect IgG antibodies in serum from individuals infected with one of the four plasmodium species. Four of the five specimens that are negative in the commercial assay are positive in the four-species MSP1-19 bead assay. 

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 1. 2. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein said molecule is isolated from Plasmodium malariae.
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